Quote: Scooter Nik "So you think that Leigh v some unknown as yet minor French side is as big a draw as a SL side? Really?
And whilst I appreciate that there is no realistic chance of Leigh winning the CC, there is still the miniscule possibility of it happening. Would I put money on it happening in the next twenty years? Of course not, but there remains more of a possibility of us winning it than there does of any team other than the champions of the previous year - another flaw BTW, last years team is rarely this years team at our level - winning this one.
I've already said that I think the idea has it's good points - our level of RL is very much on a par with that in France, and so it does make sense to compete against them - but it's the "Champion of Europe" tag that doesn't work.
For my money they've missed a trick - IIRC the French season and ours end around the same time? So why not have a 'grand final' type event between the two champions then, and introduce a trans-channel competion extra to this, played on a level playing field?'"
I think ultimately that could be the sort of logic they're aiming at but there's a few potholes in the RL world, especially the semi pro game an administration has to maneouver. To put your idea in the firing line for one second (I don't disagree, just playing devils advocate), i'm not sure the seasons do end together, hence the current planned dates, besides, although I take your point about the squads changing, it's a great time of season to host it. Maybe a champion of champions following the season would work but when it is currently, it should be good weather and it's not interfering with the business end of the season.
Secondly, the WCC of 97.
Remember it? I was only a kiddywink then, but even then I remember the dire crowds, the overinflation of players' wages and the ridiculous amount of money that was lost. As stated previously, this is a test the water phase, it's keeping expenses down, if they took a month from the season, involved 8 teams going round robin, 500 crowds turned up, hotels, flights blah blah blah then you can see how quickly it can turn into a very expensive shindig, not to mention that it's not had enough preparation.
It isn't perfect by any means but I can certainly see why they have taken this 'dip your toes in' approach for the first year, but lets not forget, this is for the french sides. A few french winners and you'll begin to see an expanded comp, SL applications coming from everywhere, hell, maybe Leigh should go and join THEIR comp
