This would be a disaster for the sport.

and teams playing their weaker sides in the competitions early rounds isnt?

It's not about the early rounds particularly, that happens in every cup competition. It's about the Final. It's 1 of only 2 RL big events in the season and is the only time that people who dont normally watch RL get in the least bit interested about it.

really?

That's good,shrewd coaching imo.
Since the CC has moved it has a bigger impact on the SL season plus the additional fixture with the magic weekend it makes the Team changes for early rounds a necessity,plus it gives other squad members a run out whilst resting some of yer regular 17.

you can read your post as saying that teams see the CC as a waste of time

I think the CC needs to be rethinked, since they moved it to the final being at August Bank holiday I think that has damged it as before it was a nice prelude to the start of the season

Yes. The only time people who normally dont even mention RL, talk about it is usually around the CC Final. It's one of only 2 times a year (the other being the Grand Final if we're lucky) that RL gets a mention on the BBC main news. It's the most publicity RL gets all season. To lose it would be a disaster.

"England lose to Australia today, Johnny Wilkinson kicked some goals but still they lost..cut to the video... and New Zealand beat a spirited Wales side at the Millenium stadium this evening..cut to video....


some footy news







Oh and England have qualifed for the Four Nations Rugby League final and thats the sport"


BBC News on Saturday night



yeah your probably right

But the CC Final ges some video and a decent spot on the sports news part rather than just a line at the end before the weather or local news comes on.
The fact that we're finally starting to get the international game sorted doesnt detract from the fact that the CC is vital to RL. If we retreat into our own little SKY run Super League world then we will slowly wither and die as a sport.
Just because you dont particularly enjoy the CC doesnt mean its not important or that its not important to have it on a free to air national channel and to be honest if we'd have won the CC Final this year or recently I dont think you'd be saying what you are now.

speaking of channels / times / coverage - why have they decided to go head to head with the biggest thing on tv on Saturday, granted most league fans won't watch X Factor over the final, but not a great move for new fans we seek, unless they are trying to capitalise on the Jedward backlash.

I think that the BBC pays lip service to RL and have done nothing to promote the sport whilst holding the rights to the CC. View that with the 6 Nations RU coverage and promotion. The BBC should not have a devine right to broadcast the CC and get the rights for a knock down price.

We may knock the likes of Eddie and Stevo but SKY have done wonders for RL and it would be better then Claire Balding and the coverage the BBC currently provides.