That's what I did at first, but was trying to emphasise that it didn't need to be derbies.

tbh, i only posted that system so we dont have the fc v kr overkill again this coming season

I like the idea of draws

Annouce it and then straight after, draw out 8 teams, those 8 play Saturday the other 6 Sunday.

Of those 8 & 6 draw lots 30 mins before kickoff for the first game and at half time for the 2nd and half time for the 3rd, the 4th match will know at the same time by deduction.

But then we're left with the prospect of unattractive games like we had in Edinburgh.

Teams can't prepare for their opponents though, makes it interesting.

I agree.....

So why not have:-

1st V 2nd
3rd V 4th
5th V 6th
7th V 8th
9th V 10th
11th V 12th
13th V 14th

But using the league positions from the Monday before the magic weekend? (Although if like last year two teams may have a game in hand if the World Club fixture weekend fixture hasn't been arranged in time).

Couldn't agree more. As nice a city as Edinburgh is & the relatively short distance from Murrayfield to the city centre, the fact that the Millennium Stadium is in the middle of Cardiff makes it a great venue for all the teams playing in the same place over a weekend.

While I've nothing against Manchester (despite it being on the dark side of the hill!!! ) I struggle to see the benefit that RL gets as a sport by holding the Magic Weekend at a venue in the sport's heartland. IMHO the weekend needs to be held at a stadium that is less than 5 minutes walk from the city centre and is outside of the heartland. I accept that this means higher travel and accommodation costs for the fans, but I think it will be better for spreading the sport to a wider audience.

St James Park might have been a better option if a City Centre stadium was wanted, I've walked from the City Centre to the ground and it's not that long a walk, plenty of places to eat and drink during the day, good night life and banter during the evening. Would be a chance to make a ground look more full as St James Park is around 52,000, whereas the Millenium Stadium is closer to 75,000.

It would seem that the RFL have trumped for lower travelling costs for the heartlands rather than what is wanted by all supporters which is an event, rather than just the ability to watch SL fixtures live.

Hey, here's an idea, how about we let Wigan play someone not called St. Helens this year? No? Just a thought...

You want to play us this year instead?

It should be kept as rivalries. There is no way you can get an extra fixture to be completely fair so you may as well make it as good as possible

Fixtures would be:
Leeds v Bradford
Saints v Wigan
Warrington v Widnes
Hull FC v Hull KR
Catalan v Harlequins
Wakefield v Huddersfield
Castleford v Salford

I know some of these aren't rivalries but they are still good games.

[iSaturday[/i
Hull F.C. vs Hull K.R.
Leeds vs Bradford
London vs Catalan
Warrington vs Widnes

[iSunday[/i
Wigan vs St Helens
Huddersfield vs Castleford
Wakefield vs Salford

Either that or do a draw based on play offs and 9-14
Main - Leeds vs St Helens, Warrington vs Wigan
Second - Huddersfield vs Catalan, Hull FC vs Hull KR
Draw 3 - Castleford vs Bradford, Salford vs London , Wakefield vs Widnes

[iSaturday[/i
Wigan vs Warrington
Huddersfield vs Catalan
Castleford vs Bradford
Wakefield vs Widnes

[iSunday[/i
Leeds vs St Helens
Hull FC vs Hull KR
Salford vs London

Or option 3 a draw
Draw 1 Warrington, Wigan, St Helens, Leeds (based on GF)
Draw 2 Huddersfield, Hull, Hull KR, Catalan
Draw 3 Castleford, Bradford, Wakefield, London, Widnes, Salford

Personally i like option 1 or 2 (prefer 2)

Quite happy with 1v2, 3v4, 5v6 etc etc but only if it was based on the table the week before the magic weekend took place. That way every game would be massive bar those right at the bottom.

The magic novelty has worn off though. Us Wigan and Saints fans won't really want to see our sides meet again just three weeks after the first ever derby at the new Saints ground. We love our derby but we ended up with 6 last year and it dilutes it a lot playing that many!