Just out of interest Il Fanatico, what do you see as the future for the Leighs and Featherstones of the world?

Whilst I agree with the idea of not following EVERYTHING the Aussies do (SOO doesn't work over here for example) there are certain things we need to follow imho.

Their structure of the leagues in regards to the lower division teams being joined with a top level club wherever possible for example.

So genuine feeder clubs?

You see that working over here?

Is the Challenge Cup really less important than the County Cups were 20 years ago? I was ball boying at Trinity during the final season of the competition, and without checking the attendances, no-one gave a stuff until the final. That one point is complete rubbish.

Wakefield stuffed Highfield in 1992 years before franchising, in a "golden age of cup competitions." Big blowouts between teams in different divisions never happened before professionalism.

Also with regards to old vs. new Wembley "but the magic and history of the occasion meant something that shiny seats and modern facilities will never replicate." I would give an arm to see Wakefield at Wembley and couldn't give a stuff if it's been turned 90 degrees and isn't the same turf Neil Fox scored a load of points at years ago.

Ask players to play more games and you'll have Peacock and Wilkin on their soapbox for a whinge.

Things don't stay the same. Some good, some bad. That's life.

Not feeder clubs as such. The dual registration move is basically doing it now except the player can go to any club he wants. What I would do is attach a lower league club to a Super League club and pool the talent.

Say Wigan and Leigh were joined (fans wouldn't be too happy but it's the logical choice), those Wigan players that are desperate for first team rugby such as Ryan King and Sam Powell would be able to turn out each week for Leigh. Leigh would also be able to call upon those Wigan players not in the 19 such as Logan Tomkins for example from this week.

If there's a player at Leigh in top form then he could get the SL call up he probably never would when Wigan have injuries. Rhodri Lloyd played against Leeds and Bradford for example. That could be a Leigh player who gets that chance and thus puts himself in the shop window. NZ Warriors have several players that starred for the Auckland Vulcans before getting their big chance with injury etc.


The closed shop of Super League could be an issue though and fans of those clubs that didn't get in could leave the game for good.

So not a feeder club, but behave like a feeder club

Sounds like a feeder club to me, what little support that remains at say Leigh would be gone in a couple of seasons, they could knock down the LSV and play at Leigh East

They could do that now.



I guess it would be a feeder club rather than a sister club but it would create a much more competitive 2nd tier imho.

The 2 nd tier is incredibly competitive now, its just nobody is interested in paying to watch it

Including you.

I did say " what little support that is left now " , attendances are starting to slip, we are on course for our lowest average for 15 years

Yes, bring back P and R and I'd probably find it worth paying for again

There's P & R now it's just done over 3 years.

Get your finances in order. Get your stadium in order. Win a trophy and then put in an application. If it's good enough you'll get in.