Quote: M@islebugs "It hasn't always been like this. Collins speaks of the move from regional to national identity with the advent of TV among other things. How does 2 French and an intended Canadian team sit within this? It's radical by any standards and any sport. We're down to 10 top flight English clubs and fewer academies with 2nd tier cast adrift.
Go ask Ralph about the plan?? I'm saying it's a self-evident disaster with falling TV deal, attendances, crucially at major events. You're saying admitting 2 French teams with no evidence, idea or plan whatsoever of potential benefit is of itself a good thing because it sort of looks a bit less northern and depressing.'"
The game has shrunk since the financial crash, no doubt about it. That for me is the main cause of the state things are in. Lack of money. And it's only going to get worse as TV money dries up. The game doesn't (and never has had) a model other than "rich clubs are the most successful" so those with wealthy owners end up in SL. Maybe it should have a different model? What would that look like? We already have a salary cap but still only 4 winners of SL in 25 years.
I was dubious about Toronto because of the lack of any firm foundations there, I always thought it was doomed. In France though the game has grassroots and has been played there for nearly 100 years. I've nothing against a French team in SL just like I've nothing against NZ Warriors playing in the NRL.
I think we share concerns about the state of the game in this country and that's down to a lack of leadership and expertise in the RFL and clubs. Chucking out Catalans and Toulouse and replacing them with Leigh and Fev wouldn't change a thing for the positive IMO.