Billy Slater is embracing the added tactical element of a State of Origin series where he and NSW rival Laurie Daley will have the luxury of selecting from a six-man interchange.
The NRL altered the interchange rules during the off-season, giving coaches more flexibility in covering for injuries or players being ruled out under concussion protocols.
The new rules have created another strategic layer to the game in 2026 with coaches wary of burning through their interchanges too early and leaving themselves unable to cover for contingencies.
Unless there is an incident of foul play, coaches are still only allowed to play four players named on the bench and make just eight changes throughout the 80 minutes.
But Wednesday night's series opener at Accor Stadium in Sydney will be the first time those rules have been applied at Origin level, with Slater wary of leaving his side without sufficient cover.
