Got to say, as an RL fan and Newcastle resident: the Magic Weekend has been very poorly advertised up here. Other than people who are involved in amateur RL I haven't come across anyone who knew the event was on. When I've talked to people about it, they thought I was referring to the Rugby World Cup which has some matches at SJP in the Autumn. That said the RFU have put a huge 'Rugby World Cup Host City' sign on the side of the Tyne Bridge.

Think there's an easy and obvious solution for the extra added game problem. In the Super 8's comp some teams have four home games, some have three. Why not have the first round of Super 8 games as Magic Weekend and then everyone has three home Super 8 games each?

So the teams that finish in the top 4 get an advantage of an extra home game?

That's what should have happened IMO, along with moving the CC Final so it doesn't fall in the middle of the Super 8's. I like MW as a concept but I really don't like the current format of it. There's no way an additional fixture should be played on top of the home and away games when relegation is at stake. There's an element of "if it aint broke don't fix it" and from the RFL's point of view if fans are buying tickets then why would they look at changing it, but from a fairness and league integrity point of view it really shouldn't be a 23rd league game before the leagues split.

FWIW I think a 9's tournament could work very well as the MW. It would need a proper prize fund and all of the clubs to play ball and select strong squads. It could fit in the week before the Super 8's start.

What's everyone's thoughts on day1? I thought it was the best one yet! (Obviously hammering our rivals helps!) All 3 games had loads of tries and end to end action.

Biggest magic weekend crowd ever today of nearly 41k and the thousands of RL fans staying, eating and drinking around Tyneside has boosted the games profile no end up here, I've had several curious locals asking questions today about what all the fuss was about, and I'm sure that if we keep it there next year we can make an an already impressive 10K sales to North East postcodes even bigger. I think the Etihad is the better stadium, but St James' Parks location is perfect being just a stones throw from the bars and its far enough from the M62 to be classed as expansion. The best scenario for the game is that Manchester and Newcastle enter a bidding war to host it.

Newcastle for me and i was sceptical about it when first heard it was going there.


Speaking to a steward before leaving the ground, talks are under way to bring it back next year to SJP

I liked it, right in the action, loads of pubs and restaurants, good ground and despite people moaning about fans only watching their own team the ground seemed pretty full all day yesterday.

A few knobs, but you are going to get that anywhere.

Looking forward to day two today.

Good central location but shame you can't move freely around the ground as you could at the other venues. Sound quality is appalling (along with that awful RFL announcer) and the one TV screen you could see from the East stand was tiny, so hard to keep up with what the score were though.

As ever though it is great that everyone mingles and apart from a few nobs everyone is having a great time.

Really enjoyed yesterday despite Salford getting tonked. Great location, and already had a couple of good night's out on the Toon. Vast majority of fans were superb and we had some great banter.

Day slightly ruined by a group of d1ckheads fighting in the ground. If you were involved and you frequent these forums then shame on you. Spoilt an otherwise excellent day out.

So for me a bug success.... definitely up for returning next year!

Who were the people fighting? I hope that it wasn't right wing extremists bashing the French visitors.

Leeds fans fighting eachother.

With the current state of French politics it's more likely the French visitors were the right wing extremists!

Thaler must have some money on the Giants, he has been inconsistent in his PTB calls

what a dreadful half of rugby