A good idea in theory, but it would never be implemented. There are too many rule changes and it would be viewed as a different game by casual spectators. It would also be confusing for the players, refs and especially fans with so many rule changes IMO. Most have enough problems knowing the current rules.

Would this be played in December/January?

I know its radical [size(and I know its not going to happen) [/size, but the Cricket guys seem to embrace variety like the Twenty20 or whatever..
Let's not forget how many people complained about summer rugby, or the fact if we'd never have changed anything we've be playing union.

We shouldn't be scared of implementing stuff, whether it be the above idea or something else - we should just make sure we think everything through first, unlike the whole slowing the PTB
"We've lost to the Aussies, its because we rely on the quick play the ball"
"Right then, we'll make our PTB as slow as possible"
next year
"The Aussies have cleaned up their game to incorporate a quick PTB"
"D'oh!"

Why do we have to blame our apparant lack of skill on what the Australians do with the PTB? Why don't you blame bananas or carpet?

I'm not sure I see the connection. And by your simple logic, when the Aussies come over here and we slow them down they won't know what to do and we will. But then it is simple logic.

And I would add to that 'played by 1 - 17 who are for the greater part, identikit players who can play a number of positions.' Hell, Sean O Loughlin even played centre recently...

The game in it's current format legislates against individuality. The likes of the honest toiler - the Tim Jonkers of the world have effectively been given their P45.

True there is the odd Rob Burrow, but think more of Ade Gardener who 'bulked up' to levels that have made him slow in comparison to past Saints wingers.

Lager would have left him for dead.

I agree that negative tactics are now more prevelant, but that's down to the coaches, not the RFL.

In fact, they've tried to counteract this for years by continually trying to speed up the game, leading to us now having less skilful half backs and hookers. Defensive tactics have become popular since Anderson came over and did so well with them really, that was in 2006. That was three years before the slowing of the ptb, so why have you signed a petition blaming all the games ills on the slow ptb?

Slow play the balls don't stop team attempting to play attacking rugby. Runarounds, offloads, passing moves, etc are not stopped by a slow ptb allowing a set defence. What it does stop is quick scoots and it means attacking plays have to be smarter to create space because you aren't playing at least 50% of drives against broken defensive lines.

The theory is all well and good. However, the reality is nothing like that.

Enjoys it that much I can hardly recall seeing him at an away game all season wheras he never used to miss

Maybe use the Challenge Cup for one or two changes, though that does run the risk of devaluing it further.

Coaches playing percentage RL mean that it isn't done, not slow play the balls.

But slowing down the PTB is simply encouraging percentage RL.

Percentage RL was played just as much last year, what was the excuse for it then?

fixed