I've watched most of the games on Sky this season(admittedly we are still early season) and been uninspired by whats on offer. Has the game lost its 'sparkle'?

What's happened to the game??

Have you not been watching the last couple of seasons?

Seth- Thinking about it you raise a valid point. I haven't been watching as much as I used to.

Most seasons start of the same its called winter blues it will take of soon stick with it

It's been a while since we've had a thread complaining about the game

Interesting thread. At first I thought here's another whinger but there is a point if you have been watching on TV, the game is hyped up so much that when a bang average or poor game happens we feel cheated as the commentators are trying to tell that we are watching is special. Just please cut out the hype. I tend only to watch the odd game involving my team now as sky coverage is so bad, I prefer live games of any level. You just can't beat being in a crowd for the atmosphere it generates of for a chat with like minded folk. TV has always been second best IMO.

I agree with you you can not beat been at the game but some one like me can not get there so tv has to do

Very few games are entertaining if your a neutral fan.
Especially at this time of year there's a lot of error strewn games while players are getting back into the rhythm.

Nailed it!

The game lost its sparkle about 7 years ago, when some of our best players migrated to the NRL and nothing significant came over here to raise the standard of Superleague.

I understand why he's ex changes have happened, but for me, the removal of shoulder charges, punching and brawls has had a massive impact on the theatre of the game.
The best games and atmospheres I've ever known have been the ones where there's some malice, hatred and gladiatorial stuff happening on the pitch - you just can't replace the feeling that type of thing brings.
Again; I get why things have changed, but I do feel it hasn't put off a large number of die hard fans - that stuff was part of the fabric of the game. Go toe to toe, man on man, and do whatever is required to beat your man, then have a pint together afterwards - we've lost some of that.
There's a balance needed, as there's no place for cheap shots and out and out thuggery (Les Davidson style), but for me, the game would be more entertaining if the players were able to hand out some immediate retribution for anything untowards and we could have some fireworks.

You obviously weren't at Odsal last Sunday for the Bulls v Cougars derby "friendly". 5 cards (4 of them red) etc. Warmed us up!

Apart from the Rovers v Catalan game, I've enjoyed most of them to be honest, and commentary turned down

Hadn't even heard about that... what happened? And more importantly - did it make for good entertainment?

Although it hurts to admit this, Cas had plenty of sparkle last season and the best rule change in recent years, allowing the hitting corner flag and to still be play on, has seen some of the most spectacular scores EVER seen on a rugby field.
It would have been great to see someone like Offiah to have the benefit.
Granted, we (the British game) are no longer capable of attracting top Aussie and Kiwi players at their peak but, some of the attacking play in the modern era beats any of the stuff from yesteryear.