COACH'S CORNER: Rugby league has reached a critical juncture, yet we continue to overlook it.
In response to mounting pressure, the NRL issued a statement last week, and they were justified in doing so.
The ongoing injury crisis in rugby league goes beyond just the six-again rule.
This issue has been festering for years.
Once, the rugby league community accepted injuries as an inevitability of the sport; broken bodies and sore joints by Rounds 4, 5, and 6 were merely seen as part of the game's nature.
But what if the real problem lies not within the game itself?
What if the approach to training players has become more harmful than the game they are training for?
This uncomfortable truth remains largely unaddressed in rugby league.
As we look toward 2026, the signs are evident.
Each season, we witness teams struggle through the mid-season with, in some instances, half their players sidelined.
Fans have become desensitized to injury lists that read like phone directories.
Players are stronger, quicker, and better conditioned than ever, yet paradoxically, they appear less durable.
This contradiction should raise concerns for all involved.
For years, rugby league has fixated on "gaining the edge."
We see bigger engines, quicker sprint times, and an abundance of GPS data.
The push for more wrestling, intensified gym sessions, and greater contact preparation has only increased.