The Auckland Warriors have threatened legal action against the National Rugby League and say players had a case to do the same should the unlimited interchange rule, which was introduced in 1996, be dropped.
Warriors coach Mark Graham and chief executive Trevor McKewen confirmed that if the rule was changed, theclub would seek financial compensation because at least six of their 35-strong squad were contracted on the basis of unlimited interchange.
Graham wanted big forwards who could play powerfully in short bursts and be constantly rotated. Prop Mark Tookey, who has begun a three-year contract with the club, and Joe Vagana fall into that category.
But Graham's Brisbane counterpart, Wayne Bennett, said the rule diminished the game and caused confusion by constantly having trainers on the field herding the players around.
Chief executives of the NFL clubs have voted 8-6 in favour of dropping the unlimited interchange system. They back a bench of two replacement and two interchange players.
Any change to the rules cannot be made until next season and ultimately it is the Australian Rugby League which has the stewardship over the rules.
