Isn't this the whole point though.

Rugby League is stagnating.
- Sky deal reducing
- Clubs in financial trouble
- Less juniors playing the game
- Etc, Etc

If we continue with the same model, then nothing will change, and whilst I disagree with some of the criteria and the weightings, the idea is to not apply focus on the on field performance of clubs as that doesn't help with growth. The criteria is focusing on viewers, stadium facilities, website clicks etc. It is clearly marketing heavy, but you can see the direction is towards trying to grow the sport. Although one absolutely stinking omission is the mentioning of academies.

The main selling point of our game (on the pitch anyway) was the open attacking rugby. I know that defences win games, but I also believe there is a lot we can do to improve the attacking side of the sport, to make it a more attractive prospect to new fans. There's nothing better than watching some end-to-end free-flowing rugby that has people on their feet (in the seated areas). There aren't many x-factor players these days, and the ones who are nearly x-factor rarely get the space to demonstrate their skills or pace.

Yes why I loved RL was

1. Gladiatorial contest, passion, honesty. (think Boyd/Tamati/Sorenson/Ward et al)
2. Fast paced, skilful rugby. (think JD, Blake, Woods, Offiah, Gleeson, Newlove, Hanley, Gregory et al)
3. Hero players that you could relate to and close to the fans. (Mike Greg, Cul, John Bevan et al)

What I don't like currently is

1. Formulaic, predictable, dull RL.
2. Identikit players, loss of specialism.
3. Feigning injury (never thought I would see the like)
4. The absolute mess that follows one tackle before the play the ball. I'm not even calling it a ruck.
5. The joke that is the RL scrum. It's an embarrassment.

Maybe it wasn't better in the past and I'm just old now, but I enjoyed it more in the past for sure. I think it probably peaked with the Saints / Bradford / Leeds sides in the early part of this century.

You can have the best product / sport in the world, but if nobody knows about it then what is the point?

The quality of the sport is not the reason for stagnation / a lack of growth.

With respect I am going to challenge the no-one knows about RL argument. RL has featured on British TV and Radio broadcasts since 1948. The 2024 CCF drew an audience share of 12.6%. (877,000 viewers)*. Most newspapers carried articles on the grand final build up and game.

I think, in reality, it just has limited appeal with the limited number of people who like "rugby" preferring Union which has an enviable international game, national league, and domestic following.

I have always equated RL with the Irish Hurling Pro league. Fiercely contested between the counties that play it, finals draw ~60,000 spectators, average home gates ~10,000 some 20,000+, TV coverage by Sky, major league sponsor in Allianz. They believe it's the best game on earth too. Yeah we are aware of it but are we going to watch it...?


*https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/how-the-challenge-cup-viewing-figures-compare-to-2023-and-the-rugby-union-final-92997/