Does the NRL need a cup competition?

[Th1rteen]

Certainly in the Northern Hemisphere most sports seem to have a league competition and a cup competition.

There is Super League Europe and the Challenge Cup for rugby league in Europe. The Premier League and FA Cup in football, and this is replicated across most sports in Europe.

The Challenge Cup has been going since 1896 and I think I'm right in saying that 96 teams competed last year. Because the competition is regarded as being just as important as the league it attracted 85,000 people to the final last year, and big crowds for the semi-finals too. The Cup Final is a counterpart event to the Grand Final.

However due to the size of Australia I don't think amateur clubs or even QRL and NSWRL clubs can be entered.

So it would just be the 16 NRL within five rounds.

I understand that what with State Of Origin, pre-season cup competitions (Dragons v Souths etc) and internationals that the season could become a little crowded.

However the NRL still only has 24 rounds (SL has 27) and there is so much depth with regards to players that I don't see it as a huge problem. If it is marketed as being the counterpart to the League competition with a Final in a big venue it could be a fantastic competition.

Everyone likes winners and I think having a League Winner and the Cup Winner would be great too.

Plus you'll have more players to see, extra television revenue and watching knockout league is a totally different ballgame - teams put everything on the line to win!!

((Here is an article I found via Google about the benefits of a cup competition.))

Thoughts?

 

[siv]

Yes

If you move CityvCounty, SOO and Euro Cup and Pacific Cup to 4 International Round Weekends

Then yes you can play a 32 team knockout with each team drawn out of hat for the first 3 rounds

16 NRL teams, Top 5 NSW Cup, Top 5 Qld Cup, Top 5 NZ Cup, Winner OZ Country Club Knockout

 

[Goddo]

Maybe in the preseason, or during origin. A short sharp knock out comp. Our real problem with crowds and scheduling is around origin - have a look at how the crowds drop. I think it also has something to do with the cold weather.

I am a fan of a shorter season, I think 24 full rounds is too long, especially when you add finals, four nations and origin to that. As the NRL expands to a 20 team comp, I'd like to see it cut back to a 19 round home and away playing each side once, plus 3 additional rounds for Heritage Round, Women in League Round and Rivalry Round, and thats it. 22 week season.

We could then start the season a week or two earlier, and have a four week gap in the middle of the season for a knock out cup comp around origin with two split rounds just before it. Only concern with this reshuffle is teams might milk it to have a long break. This can be avoided by having decent prize money and trophy for the comp.

The cup final could be played the weekend before Origin III at the same stadium, at either suncorp or ANZ. This way it could be part of a big week building to the Origin final.

The other development in the game I'd like to see in comming years is a Victoria vs Western Australia Origin. This will be feasible with time.

 

[boxhead]

I would love to have a cup competition in the style of football competitions, it would mean that teams use their younger players or depth players more, which is a great idea if you want to move towards the future.

 

[Southern Rooster]

I would love to see a knock out cup comp come back into vogue. Offers a chance for a side that may not be as strong in the week in week out premiership to possibly have a cup run and win a trophy.

 

[chefman21]

Eventually yes. We need to sort out the reserve grade/NYC situation first, as well as settle on a season length and structure. It could be sorted out all at once. That would be the simple option. What the IC needs to do above all else though is come up with a 5, 10 and 25 year plan with the ultimate goal of having an entirely self sufficient set of clubs that don't rely on outside revenue sources. The cup idea is an great progression in my opinion. Great money spinner, something different for clubs and fans and it breaks up the season or gives something to do in the pre season. Plenty of options and variances could be implemented as well. Like having a certain number of the NYC players in your side. Or rewarding attacking or ultra defensive football.

 

[BunniesMan]

The preseason could be turned into a knockout comp with a cash prize.

 

[Eels Dude]

I don't think we NEED one, with player burnout and all that with rep games it might be stretching it though it could work if done correctly.

 

[wittyfan]

Bring back the Lotto Challenge!!!!

 

[IanG]

They use to have one that was a pre season comp. The Tooheys Challenge then before that had the Panasonic Cup

 

[docbrown]

Perhaps Monday Night Football could be played for both NRL premiership points AND a challenge cup, with only 1 additional game - the final.

4 pools of 4 - play each other once - so 24 games total.

The top two teams on points at the end play for the cup final.

 

[Th1rteen]

I don't think you quite understand as I meant a competition that would be just as important as the NRL.

Putting it pre-season would just make it sub-standard, and the same for making it into a competition for reserve players!!

It's meant to coincide with the league competition!!

17 Apr - Round 4
7 May - Round 5
29 May - QF
7 Aug - SF
28 Aug - Final

(2010 CC Fixtures)

 

[The 18th Man]

There is growing movement for this concept amongst the CRL I can tell you all for a fact. This idea has been bubbling away for the best of four to five years. The big CRL clubs are chomping at the bit to push a competition modelled on our brothers in the Northern Hemisphere. Imagine going to a mid week fixture in winter at your local ground to see your club taking on a NRL team (mixed with first grade and T20 players I'd imagine) for a chance to move forward and one step closer to playing on the big stage against the very best!

We will hear more about this in the future. Once the Independent Commission is formed, I think this idea will move right up nearer the top of their agenda for 2013 and beyond.

 

[clarency]

No. At least not one that involves NRL teams. There is growing concern over the comp being too long let alone throwing in a second comp alongside it.

I'd prefer to see a revamped second tier comp (not one that is just reserve grade sides for the NRL teams) and have a national tournament. Should have happened years ago.

Unfortunately AFL have already began plans on doing this so no doubt if it were to happen here they would begin b*tching about how we copy them.

 

[kia ora storm]

I would have a pre-season comp with teams from NRL, QRL and NSW comp playing each other.

 

[thorson1987]

In theory its a great idea. Logistically would be a nightmare to plan. Would be good seeing NRL sides play at some grounds in Group 6 though. Play at Mt Annan Currans Hill, might as well play in a parking lot.

 

[gottabegood]

Argument for is that with 16 teams there are only 4 rounds to determine the winner.

16 teams down to 8 to 4 to 2, that means 12 teams will only play 1 or 2 games, with eventual finalist playing 4 games.

Doesn't seem to be too much drama here for the positive outcomes it would bring.

 

[Yosh]

You'll need a much larger squad and a much higher standard of players all across the NRL. I thunk the players won't be too happy about playing more games a season.

I'm an avid football fan and i. Think cups are great. However in European football the domestic league doesn't have a finals series so cups offer something different. If the NRL season was structured like the EPL, a cup competition would be very enjoyable!

 

[Parraletic]

YES! I would play it with only NRL clubs during the season. Have stand alone representative weekends & play them on these weekends so TV have footy to show on those weekends. All rep players would not be allowed to play & maybe you could change the rules to help wioth player welfare like play in 4 quarters, have 5 or 6 players on the interchange bench & more interchanges etc.

 

[RockWheel]

You'll need a much larger squad and a much higher standard of players all across the NRL. I thunk the players won't be too happy about playing more games a season.

I'm an avid football fan and i. Think cups are great. However in European football the domestic league doesn't have a finals series so cups offer something different. If the NRL season was structured like the EPL, a cup competition would be very enjoyable!

Super League has a cup and a league with finals.