Former NRL players and coaches Phil Gould and Paul Gallen discuss the six-man bench rule and its effects on State of Origin selection and tactics. All three outlets report their comments focusing on how the rule is changing coach decision-making during matches. The discussion centers on whether the expanded bench options influence game plans, including how teams allocate interchange roles and manage player workloads across the contest. Gould and Gallen frame their remarks as a reaction to the rule’s practical impact, suggesting coaches may be “second guessing” certain choices as they weigh the benefits of additional interchange capacity against the risk of reduced effectiveness from rotation. The articles describe the debate as being specifically connected to State of Origin football rather than broader NRL rule settings, with attention on whether Origin teams are adapting their structures and strategies accordingly. The sources present the conversation as an expert analysis of the rule’s implications, highlighting uncertainty among coaches about how best to use the six-man bench under Origin conditions.