you are guessing though are you ,

when MM was first introduced the RFL hoped it would be a two day sell out as many fans thought it would be.

its just not good enough . sometimes this sport is constantly killing its roots to try to branch out into unknown territory and constantly getting stung .

sorry i apologize Ive just realized that Celtic now get over 10k per match.

ffiw and this is just IMHO the day sir john john hall turned us down and formed the union club and SLs refusal to accept a cumbria team this expansion machine was doomed

I don't understand which 'roots have been killed'.

The RFL can do two things. They can accept their lot, acknowledge that the game will be little more than a Northern hobby with pitiful media coverage and do nothing outside of the Yorks & Lancs borders.

Or, they can try something fresh, innovative and daring. They can take a little bit of a gamble, try and do something that nobody has tried before and, potentially, make a lot of money in the long run.

I'd rather they do the latter.

I'd love to see a Cumbrian team in Super League. Unfortunately, none of the three Cumbrian teams has shown that they have the finances or the inclination to build the infrastructure needed to support an SL club. That is not the RFL's fault and it is not the RFL's responsibility to fix whatever problems three private businesses in Cumbria are currently facing.

I am....but it's a fairly educated guess. The cut-down game really isn't that big (and hasn't been since the glory days of the World Nines and pre-season Sevens tournaments), and would you really travel to Edinburgh to watch Wakefield in a meaningless competition over watching Wakefield in a game with something more important at stake?

can not answer your question 100% , i was going to go to edinburgh had the ticket n travel paid for. I was left with a delima and decided not to go. i went last year and it was good and an experience that being a wakey fan we seldom enjoy . however i fear that whilst the novelty wears off the crowds will get lower.
i was opposed to the grand final but at least that as grown with time .
the magic weekend seems dead now its been done .

how about holding a european championship in Scotland or wales ? . none of this 1 game here and one there.

although i still don't think it would work . the sport as been Friday night viewing for 20 years on satellite TV the biggest medium available yet sadly still no interest

Thinking about expanding the game in the local area and getting people more aware of the game how about holding a tag rugby tournament for local schools? Either outside the ground like the tag tournament was this year or even better on the pitch at half time of the games.

If we could get some retired players from some of the top clubs to go up to the area for a few weeks before to provide training and gather local interest amongst the school community (and beyond) and then perhaps give the children and their families free weekend passes for the games it would get more locals aware of what is going on and how much fun the game can be.

I'd go back to Cardiff but move the first round of play-off games there instead and sandwich between each couple of games the NL finals. Wales is the best potential growth area by far and even if this meant changing the playoff structure again it would be worth it imho.

I think back to Cardiff but use it as Round 1. Roof closed, start the season with a bang.

Err – am I misreading this or are you suggesting that the Championship should not be decided until the year after the season ends, just so that the grand final could be squeezed in between a couple of the next season's first round SL games?

That's exactly what they did do, or at least they said they were going toOn the Sunday, Scotland’s biggest ever Schools Tournament involving 14 Primary Schools will take place in the same place so get there early to see some stars of the future.

All games will be finished by the opening fixture of each day.'"

He said the first round of play-offs

No. What he is suggesting is play the NL finals (Championship and second tier final) between SL first round play off games.

Ah - sorry: I thought he was on the 'magic weekend should be the first round of league games' line, not a new 'magic weekend should be the first round of SL play-offs"