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The reason why London get low marks is coz they get low crowds lol
Yep. They don’t get a gig just because they are London. They need to be able to demonstrate they’ll add value to the comp across a range of criteria. At this time they don’t as much as others. Pretty straightforward.
It's the kind of proposition that could start to spook World Rugby (Union) - Scotland, Ireland & Wales are nearby after all... and that's not to mention France's long RL history to tap into, nor the prospect of North America.
Yep. That’s solid analysis mate. The potential is huge. Vlandys knows it.
www.foxsports.com.au
Eventually you could have the current 12 Superleague teams plus a team each in Scotland (Edinburgh), Wales (Cardiff), Ireland (Dublin), and Tolouse for 16 teams with a UK spread, plus a French Derby.
I’ve started a thread under expansion. This warrants specific discussion. That stuff you’ve just written is just an example.
Rugby League is at it's best when it innovates, when it's visionary, when it does things that RU wouldn't even dream of doing - thanks to their conservative gin-swilling northern administrators veto-ing innovation.Becoming more real
NRL mulls shock plan to buy Super League after record $700m year
NRL mulls shock plan to buy Super League after record $700m year
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A blooody menRugby League is at it's best when it innovates, when it's visionary, when it does things that RU wouldn't even dream of doing - thanks to their conservative gin-swilling northern administrators veto-ing innovation.
Hell, that kinda innovation (compensating working men for time off work) was EXACTLY why the game exists!
How many times has RU eventually done their own half-assed versions of our ideas years (if not DECADES) after we've had success with them?
It's time for our game to stand up again, and honor our past of daring & innovation - because THAT is what rugby league was born of.
Can I hear an "Amen!" Brothers & Sisters??
(Err.. sorry.. that kinda got away from me a bit there, but I stand by the point made.....
Maybe the solution is some kind of hybrid franchise-relegation system. Meet certain off field criteria (crowds, strategic location etc) you can avoid relegation the following year, regardless of performance. Then do it on a year by year basis.
Super Leagues 2 biggest problems are 1) only 4 teams have ever won, they need to find a way to spread the talent so that fans feel thier team can actually win.
On point 1 - yes, the NRL needs to look getting the talent-equalization measures right, so that more teams are competitive.. but we need to keep in mind that the NRL itself has only had 3 clubs as Premiers in the last 7 years - and the current Premiers are gunning for 4 titles back-to-back, so it's not just a Superleague issue. Even if it's far more pronounced there.
The Merseyside team could wear Knights-style jerseys, the Birmingham team in maroon. white and blue, and the Manchester team wear red and sky blue striped jerseys, for cross-town unity...
Doesn't necessarily have to go *that* far to appeal to the whole city, I think St Helens would be fine pretty much as is (maybe a rename to Merseyside St Helens?) but maybe a move away from Red Devils for Salford, while keeping their colours.
