SL stats are wrong i think

crowd average this year is up a little on last year.

It's the Americans, French and Southerners fault!

Actually down a little, according to official figures. When I say a little it is down 0.56% over the season. Five clubs posted an increase, 9 clubs posted decreases in attendance

They are down for 1 reason and that's because the spetacle isn't as good as it was. With franchising at least I hoped the better teams would throw the ball around and play with some real quality even the lesser teams testing their arms a bit and making SL enjoyable to watch. But it's all about the wrestle and slowing everything down, we are obsessed with the Australian game and trying to do what they do; well why not try be our own competition. Outrule all this wrestling nonsense and holding down, we want a quick game, with players like Eastmond, Tomkins, not 'controlling' the game but running in broken field and using their flair and if it doesn't come off aplaud them for trying not moaning at players for only 'completing at 50%' or 'turning over ball in the red zone' because that's a hell of a lot more entertaining than watching 2 17 stone lads running and tackling each other.

I don't suppose we are playing the 'Australian game' due to the fact there are so many aussies playing here.

playing "her", who is she?

excellent post but you say the spectacle isnt as good as it was.. compared to when? ive been watching OGG since the 70s and compared to then its far more entertaining in my view prop forwards in them days would go out and have 15 pints night before a match would you have us go back to this? players today are toned athletes, and yes i agree with some of what you say im not keen on holding down and laying on at the ptb but if you notice the ones who are good at it are having the most success. there is a lot of aussie influence in the game now prob due to the fact we have more oz players over here than ever some entertaining and some not so.

I have edited it sir. No detention please

have you watched any Aussie rugby? I defy you to find a faster more skilful game any were in the world. As for wrestling and winning the tackle, every team does it, it just that some teams are better than others.

I used to find SL more entertaining in the 2000-2005/6 i thought we had a higher quality of outside backs e.g. Lyon, Vainokolo and more games which finishing closer and a quicker game.

I agree it is more skilful but i still don't think there is a speed around the PTB which makes the game entertaining with broken field play.

spot on!
if i am correct every club's away support at the galpharm has gone down from last year, maybe now people just cant afford rugby matches in the current economic climate?

Totally agree. Bags of skill in the NRL and their play the ball is so much quicker, no players with their hands in at the play the ball, few players waving their arms about to get a penalty, few loose carries to try and get a penalty when they are tackled. A superior product to ours--I wish we were copying it!!!

Afraid I can't agree with your reasoning here

With the referees allowing more of a wrestle in the tackle, the defensive lines are set and the obligation is on the attacking team to break through the line

If we return to the 'fast' game you wish for, we will see the likes of Eastmond and Tomkins scooting from dummy half and teams rolling forward from 6 scoots at a time. For me, I would rather see my half backs breaking down a defence with clever, inventive plays. Remember, the game in Australia your bemoaning brought us talents like Johns and Lockyer who were weren't exactly boring to watch

For me price is one of the major factors, £20 for 80 mins of rugby is not cheap. I fall into that awkward 'bridge' gap where I am no longer a student to get good priced tickets but not necessarily "rich" enough to justify £20 a ticket. Especially when you add in I no longer live in Hull, add in train fares, beer, food etc then I'm looking at easy £60 - £70 for a game of rugby. Don't get me wrong this w/e's game is priceless I'd pay £100 a ticket but certain games are just not worth the expense. I'm sure like many fans who've had to cut back they'll be an element of picking and choosing matches.