The thing is, the RFL are also culpable in this mess - because they refused at every turn to form a coherent strategy for the game in London and SE. Or anywhere else for that matter. And, no, I don't mean throwing £millions at the Broncos, I just mean a planned network of development officers (who they sacked to save money to spend up north) in schools, junior clubs with decent facilities (the RFL built one 3G pitch at a school in south London but neglected to draw up a concrete contract and the school eventually made it virtually impossible for the community club to use it) through to the Broncos and Skolars, with England internationals and rep games building a presence in the city.

And it's a failing that negatively impacts the entire sport. Ever since Richard Lewis left, the RFL has had a policy under Wood and then Rimmer of remaining at arms length. They do very little in fact. They got rid of facilities minimum standards, they removed the 'live salary cap' which was checked continually and made it a simpler affair, they play virtually no internationals (and when they do its midweek at Leigh!), they do nothing to promote the Challenge Cup Final or SL Grand Final. In short - they just don't anything.

So when the Broncos do go tits up, and it's guaranteed to happen, the RFL will share some (but only some, most of it lies with Hughes) of the blame. But Rimmer will dust his hands and say "we can't force the clubs to do anything, they have to run themselves" which is his favourite line. Sitting as I do these days in Singapore, although not for much longer, it's a failing I see right across British society - no-one in a position of authority actually wants to take on responsibility for anything. It's just easier to keep your head down, do the bare minimum required, and let others take the blame if/when things go wrong.

Even assuming this is true, why did DH not assemble a stronger squad at the start of the season ? Mustard has been complaining of how it takes time for teams to gel.

Better players, same coach

I'm off to the super rugby today in Wellington as a mother's day treat from my son.
I paid $43 NZ for 2 adults and a child, which is £22.34.
There will be a few All Blacks on show, all the bars and food stations will be open and there's a fair chance that 60% of the seats will be empty, but the Wellington RU have sold 8,000 tickets though local clubs. This means that my son's club get 70% of the ticket revenue, whilst wellington RFU get an opportunity to hook my boy......there's face painting, flags and a mascot.....he is 100% their target audience.
Point being. Rather than offer half price tickets, why not add value to the experience and sell the tickets via amateur clubs giving them a share of the revenue......all the broncos have done this year is drop their pants repeatedly and it's not working.

As expected, only about 11k at the game, but flags, face-painting, his club mates playing on the pitch pre match, KFC bucket hats, wontons and doughnuts.....and on the way home he asked when the next game was......so I've booked another family ticket for 2 weeks time....that's how it works ...it's painfully simple.

Not for Hughes it isn't!