No. They basically try to make derby and "good matchup" games. Cas played Leeds last year as a "derby" which was nothing to do with league positions.

Silly concept but admittedly I've thoroughly enjoyed all the games whenever I've been so can't complain about how they pair the teams up.

Wasn't the reason we Engineered finishing in the bottom 4 so we could play a similar ability team, Widnes, Catalans or HULL KR. Am I right in assuming that the Hull Derby will be last game on the Saturday?

No they the last game on Sunday, Cas Leeds is last game Saturday.

I've no idea what the concept of this fixture is anymore apart from a good weekend away.

In a league where 'every minute matters' is it right to skew the fixtures where the league that you are operating in post split, can be affected to the point of potentially fighting off relegation or aiming for the play offs and a tilt at the GF?

You hit the nail on the head,it’s just a good weekend away for those that have no christenings, weddings or funerals etc to get lashed up at

Oh and maybe watch some rugby.

Well, thats another one i wont be going, i've been Newcastle twice, i just don't enjoy it.

They only finished one point and one place above us at the end of the regular season didn't they?

Etihad a much better venue

Newcastle again.. Been there done that, think I'll pass this time.

Newcastle is a great venue . . . on TV

It will stay at Newcastle till the attendance starts to fall, also I think the Sunday’s games will make for awful tv viewing just for that fact the place will look empty,only the Hull derby may salvage it a little.

If the Rugby League are determined to have this pointless escapade it would make sense to have the quarter finals of the challenge cup staged there, or is that too simple a solution? If both us and wigan finish in the top eigh twe will play them at least 4 times, a cup draw and we will play them every 6 weeks!!

wish they would put it back at the millenium stadium..... amazing magic weekends there

St. James' is far and away the best venue so far for magic weekend. Huge attendances, Geordies have been lapping RL up due to the pace of the game, It's smack bang in the city centre with watering holes on every street in any direction you walk in.

So what if You're playing another team again? There are league points on offer. Think of it as a bonus round. It brings RL fans together in a party atmosphere.

The only gripe is that its isn't on a bank holiday. I would imagine NUFC Newcastle City Council will be throwing money and other deals at the RFL due to the sheer amount of income we generate.


The Etihad was a better ground due to the fact you could move around the stadium and it was a bit smaller so suited RL crowds better but lets face it. Once to got there, there was nothing in the way of pubs or restaurants other than the fan zone. Newcastle also generates more interest due to it being in the city centre the locals who don't know about RL are able to see what's going on, talk to the fans in the pubs who are showing the games on the TV's for the fans. The exposure it greater.

Please Stop talking sense!