ali said:
Toulouse for mine has to be one side. Catalans will need the rivalry to grow themselves and the sport to the next level. I'm not sure on the other. I'm not convinced the Crusaders are going to attract the kind of crowd of support we would all be hoping for. I think we need Salford, so that we have a presence close to Manchester.
I think the number of teams needs to stay where it is, unless there are new fields of players. Toulouse expands the player base, and does not use any more than one or two english players, if that. GB is catching australia slowly because of the lift in intensity of their comp, but it still has a little way to go. You can see the lower teams improving, both in terms of crowds and competitiveness, hand in hand. They cant afford to risk throwing this away by bringing in two teams that will simply spread the English talent a little thinner. Toulose will not do this. They must be one team, even if it results in the teams staying the same numbers. They add to much to the competition.
Wakey were massively on the up this year and if they can bring a new stadium to the table probably deserve a spot. Cas, are a great small club, and I wouldn't want to leave them out and potentially turnoff thousands of heartland fans, same with KR, whose ticket sales for this year and away support is brilliant.
It is a really tough decision. Castleford are too small, but have such good support they probably deserve a spot. Hull KR, are a traditionally big club adn also deserve a spot. Their problem is that there doesnt really need to be 2 hull clubs, although since they are getting such good crowds. They probably do deserve a chance. Wakefield also have a good case, as you mentioned. There is nothing in either of them.
So for mine, despite the fact I am firmly an expansionist, I think Crusaders should be the unlucky side to miss out. If they do get the nod, I suspect it may have something to do with potential pay TV subscribers for whoever gets the rights.
Crusaders will not be as succesful as the traditional clubs mentioned, i have no doubt about that. My worry is that thye have budgeted on 5000 average crowds but as nice as that would be, it is unrealistic. They will be a drain for some time, both on average crowd figures and playing numbers. But, you would have to think that it is now or never for the crusaders and if successful they have so much to gain. Also, how do things look, if they actually win the NL1 this year? Unlikely but possible.
The Southern Orcas is hated on here, but they shouldnt be. They are about 100-1 and would almost certainly result in their side going broke, or a switch after 3 years to the NRL. But, they are the best option. They get all there players from NZ and would instantly be a top 6 contender without taking any players from the competition. They give the comp a new pay tv market (or at least large) interest in New Zealand, and to a lesser extent Australia. If there is a bid, and it is financially sound, there is not other option (other than not expanding number of teams or expanding only by toulose).
One other by product which is also important, if they were to pick say Toulose, Orcas and Celtic Crusaders with the last place team relagated (say castleford), that would provide a 14 team competition where all bar London and Celtic would be assured of very good attendances (each team would strive for the 10000 average) and the competition would be as fierce as it currently is, perhaps even a little stronger.
It would also mean that Castleford, Wakefield, Featherstone, Widnes? etc would potentially form a very, very strong NL1. And, in theory, each of those clubs would have the potential to grow, without a massive wages bill and get their own house in order (like the gold coast did a few years ago) and set about putting together a case for them to compete in the Super league in the future.
