Quote caswigan="caswigan"As I understand Maurice Watkin is overseeing a complete review of Rugby league after 10 years of Richard Lewis’s tenure. =#8000FFThe Watkin report is completed and is not as full a review as you suggest. The introduction says "It is important to stress at the outset that this is a review of the sport’s governance structure. It is not a review of strategy and policy or executive performance." That means that it doesn't cover most of the areas raised below. However it acknowledges that they need thinking about by stating, "Whilst this document is first and foremost a Governance Review, it has also been quite clear from the consultation process that a further discussion about the direction, vision and strategy for the sport for the next five to 10 years should quickly follow, focusing particularly on the size and structure of the leagues, licensing and promotion/relegation, the sustainability of clubs and our approach to expansion. www.therfl.co.uk/~rflmedia/docs/ ... Review.pdf . In my opinion the following areas need addressing immediately otherwise our great game will go into further decline. 1.Super league Format (Structure) to be changed from 14 clubs to 12 to increase competition and quality of games. =#8000FFAgreed 1a. To compensate for loss of four fixtures introduce a mid season competition including championship clubs e.g. Regal Trophy or Lancs Cup as previously. Super league clubs to be handicapped e.g. with players under 25 only qualifying to play.=#8000FF The season needs to be reduced to improve quality and intensity and reduce burnout. N.B. The Aussie season is 7 months in total, it starts after ours and ends before. 2. Reintroduce promotion and relegation, 1up and 1 down or even a play off between bottom and top clubs for the right of a Super league place.=#8000FF Not feasible whilst we have such financial disparity between leagues. 3. Salary Cap to be increased to a more realistic level (at least £2 million) so that we can compete with RU and NRL. =#8000FFAgreed if we can rely on clubs to efficiently manage their finances and bring in new money ! But the underperforming clubs would do better to spend any additional money on developing their player academies. 4. Super League leaders to be crowned League Champions with a suitable trophy and prize money similar to CC final winners, The most consistent team over the season must be rewarded and recognised as such.=#8000FF It's a pity but to promote the Grand Final winners as supreme champions it's necessary to diminish the achievement of winning the league. Those with long memories might agree that after the divisional structure was created in 1973, the Premiership was mostly an end of season marginal competition. There's still scope however to give greater reward by making it easier for the league leaders to qualify for the Grand Final. 5. Challenge Cup final to be moved back to May to replace the contrived Magic Weekend and create a bigger gap between major finals. Magic weekend has always been an unfair fixture arrangement with some clubs having easier games. =#8000FFOnce we moved to a summer season, there was no credibility to holding the Challenge Cup final in May. Teams were playing cup matches before league games. In 1997, Wigan's first match of the season was a loss to Saints in a Challenge Cup derby at Knowsley Road - what a load of fun that was ! For most of its history, rugby league has had a distorted league, i.e. not all teams playing one another. Intriguingly it's the only valid justification for a play-off system, like the NFL and NRL and our own Championship/Premiership play-off. 6. Grand final play off format back to top 5 only. =#8000FFWould love it, in fact in my view, the only legitimate play off format but once the system has no P&R, the RFL will insist on keeping more teams interested to the season end. 7. Pricing of CC and Play off games to be discounted with rewards for loyalty e.g. season ticket holders. =#8000FFAgreed but its clubs who need to agree not the RFL. 8. Refereeing inconsistencies to be addressed. =#8000FFNirvana but we can always hope. 9. A video referee to be made available at all Super league games, this would ensure all matches are treated equally, not just TV games. =#8000FFIt would cost but it's an easy way for the sport to improve consistency. When Sky first broadcast Championship 1, no fee was paid to the RFL but they estimated the cost was £250,000 over the season, i.e. for one additional game per week. 10. Video refereeing decisions to be consistent with clarification of his role with a clear definition of when and what he can intervene for. A transcript or voice recording of all communications between the Video Ref and Referee to be made available after every game.=#8000FF Agreed, in fact the video referee should play no part in any decision except for whether or not a try has been scored, i.e. none of this whispers in the earpiece stuff. 11. The disciplinary - Judiciary panel to be more transparent and consistent with punishments e.g. Rangi Chase elbow to jaw causing a serious injury not sent off, on report 3 match ban. Michael McIlorum late high tackle no injury caused, Red card given plus 3 match ban. =#8000FFAll panels have an element of discretion since they make a subjective decision based on the evidence presented. The RFL deserves recognition for the way in which it openly and speedily publishes decisions of the judiciary panel but it could go further by filming the process and making that info publically available. .'"

Quote caswigan="caswigan"As I understand Maurice Watkin is overseeing a complete review of Rugby league after 10 years of Richard Lewis’s tenure. =#8000FFThe Watkin report is completed and is not as full a review as you suggest. The introduction says "It is important to stress at the outset that this is a review of the sport’s governance structure. It is not a review of strategy and policy or executive performance." That means that it doesn't cover most of the areas raised below. However it acknowledges that they need thinking about by stating, "Whilst this document is first and foremost a Governance Review, it has also been quite clear from the consultation process that a further discussion about the direction, vision and strategy for the sport for the next five to 10 years should quickly follow, focusing particularly on the size and structure of the leagues, licensing and promotion/relegation, the sustainability of clubs and our approach to expansion. www.therfl.co.uk/~rflmedia/docs/ ... Review.pdf . In my opinion the following areas need addressing immediately otherwise our great game will go into further decline. 1.Super league Format (Structure) to be changed from 14 clubs to 12 to increase competition and quality of games. =#8000FFAgreed 1a. To compensate for loss of four fixtures introduce a mid season competition including championship clubs e.g. Regal Trophy or Lancs Cup as previously. Super league clubs to be handicapped e.g. with players under 25 only qualifying to play.=#8000FF The season needs to be reduced to improve quality and intensity and reduce burnout. N.B. The Aussie season is 7 months in total, it starts after ours and ends before. 2. Reintroduce promotion and relegation, 1up and 1 down or even a play off between bottom and top clubs for the right of a Super league place.=#8000FF Not feasible whilst we have such financial disparity between leagues. 3. Salary Cap to be increased to a more realistic level (at least £2 million) so that we can compete with RU and NRL. =#8000FFAgreed if we can rely on clubs to efficiently manage their finances and bring in new money ! But the underperforming clubs would do better to spend any additional money on developing their player academies. 4. Super League leaders to be crowned League Champions with a suitable trophy and prize money similar to CC final winners, The most consistent team over the season must be rewarded and recognised as such.=#8000FF It's a pity but to promote the Grand Final winners as supreme champions it's necessary to diminish the achievement of winning the league. Those with long memories might agree that after the divisional structure was created in 1973, the Premiership was mostly an end of season marginal competition. There's still scope however to give greater reward by making it easier for the league leaders to qualify for the Grand Final. 5. Challenge Cup final to be moved back to May to replace the contrived Magic Weekend and create a bigger gap between major finals. Magic weekend has always been an unfair fixture arrangement with some clubs having easier games. =#8000FFOnce we moved to a summer season, there was no credibility to holding the Challenge Cup final in May. Teams were playing cup matches before league games. In 1997, Wigan's first match of the season was a loss to Saints in a Challenge Cup derby at Knowsley Road - what a load of fun that was ! For most of its history, rugby league has had a distorted league, i.e. not all teams playing one another. Intriguingly it's the only valid justification for a play-off system, like the NFL and NRL and our own Championship/Premiership play-off. 6. Grand final play off format back to top 5 only. =#8000FFWould love it, in fact in my view, the only legitimate play off format but once the system has no P&R, the RFL will insist on keeping more teams interested to the season end. 7. Pricing of CC and Play off games to be discounted with rewards for loyalty e.g. season ticket holders. =#8000FFAgreed but its clubs who need to agree not the RFL. 8. Refereeing inconsistencies to be addressed. =#8000FFNirvana but we can always hope. 9. A video referee to be made available at all Super league games, this would ensure all matches are treated equally, not just TV games. =#8000FFIt would cost but it's an easy way for the sport to improve consistency. When Sky first broadcast Championship 1, no fee was paid to the RFL but they estimated the cost was £250,000 over the season, i.e. for one additional game per week. 10. Video refereeing decisions to be consistent with clarification of his role with a clear definition of when and what he can intervene for. A transcript or voice recording of all communications between the Video Ref and Referee to be made available after every game.=#8000FF Agreed, in fact the video referee should play no part in any decision except for whether or not a try has been scored, i.e. none of this whispers in the earpiece stuff. 11. The disciplinary - Judiciary panel to be more transparent and consistent with punishments e.g. Rangi Chase elbow to jaw causing a serious injury not sent off, on report 3 match ban. Michael McIlorum late high tackle no injury caused, Red card given plus 3 match ban. =#8000FFAll panels have an element of discretion since they make a subjective decision based on the evidence presented. The RFL deserves recognition for the way in which it openly and speedily publishes decisions of the judiciary panel but it could go further by filming the process and making that info publically available. .'"

Really? so, that means you think the team that came top this year should be the champions. Who was that again? Ah yes, Wigan! What a coincidence!

1.Super league Format (Structure) to be changed from 14 clubs to 12 to increase competition and quality of games.

The clubs need the existing number of games to generate sponsorship and income. But yes I agree some games are poor.

1a. To compensate for loss of four fixtures introduce a mid season competition including championship clubs e.g. Regal Trophy or Lancs Cup as previously. Super league clubs to be handicapped e.g. with players under 25 only qualifying to play.

Those cups were poorly supported hence one of the reasons why they were shelved. Look at the Challenge Cup and early play off's, supporters want season ticket prices and not extra worthless cup games.

3. Salary Cap to be increased to a more realistic level (at least £2 million) so that we can compete with RU and NRL.

How could this be paid for with fewer home games and less tv money due to the smaller number of games. Not all teams can afford the CAP now, and some break it .

4. Super League leaders to be crowned League Champions with a suitable trophy and prize money similar to CC final winners, The most consistent team over the season must be rewarded and recognised as such.

The most consistent team is recognised with the shield, the main competition is the GRAND FINAL. There is not enough money in the game to keep extending the costs. Compare this with Football and the champions league where you do not have to be a champion team to enter, this is never questioned.

5. Challenge Cup final to be moved back to May to replace the contrived Magic Weekend and create a bigger gap between major finals. Magic weekend has always been an unfair fixture arrangement with some clubs having easier games.

YES totally agree Springbank Weekend is the best time..

6. Grand final play off format back to top 5 only.

Then you have 9 teams with nothing to play for and would roll over giving a distorted tilt to the league, longer to play for then more interest for more supporters and TV companies.

7. Pricing of CC and Play off games to be discounted with rewards for loyalty e.g. season ticket holders. All ready are with Entry for Juniors set at £ 5.00 and season ticket holders getting free challenge cup games.

8. Refereeing inconsistencies to be addressed.

That will never happen as they are human and we all see things differently..

9. A video referee to be made available at all Super league games, this would ensure all matches are treated equally, not just TV games.

More refs would be needed and that would introduce more inconsistencies, but the cost would be how much.

10. Video refereeing decisions to be consistent with clarification of his role with a clear definition of when and what he can intervene for. A transcript or voice recording of all communications between the Video Ref and Referee to be made available after every game.

The video ref should have more power when it comes to fowl play and off the ball incidents. Tell SKY to stop criticising these glaring mistakes by the refs that they pick up on after the third reply and then say how did he miss that.

11. The disciplinary - Judiciary panel to be more transparent and consistent with punishments e.g. Rangi Chase elbow to jaw causing a serious injury not sent off, on report 3 match ban. Michael McIlorum late high tackle no injury caused, Red card given plus 3 match ban.

Yes I agree with this and I am glad you did not compare McIlorum to Mag's. If a player is injured then the offending player should be banned for the time the other injured player is out PLUS his suspension.

No harm in giving the league leaders a more prestigious trophy, but the majority of the history of Rugby League has "The Champions" as those who progress through play offs and win.

Always thought a informal agreement to have between the clubs would be to have the Super League grand finalist vs Challenge Cup Finalist in a preseason match (a la Community Shield).

So once again that would be Leeds v Warrington. Could get a sponsor/Trophy (wouldn't a be a massive one), but something else to build on.

Got to do something. I note Saracens first 3 tries today were scored by 3 former pupils of John Fisher. In a better world they'd have just finished playing for us and be currently preparing for internationals. I can't blame them for going though, we've just enjoyed the most national press coverage we've had for years and it was only because someone lost a testicle

Will you stop flogging this dead horse or must we wait for a season when Wigan don’t finish top to bring up this topic again? WIGAN ARE NOT THE CHAMPIONS, I KNOW IT, AND WE ALL KNOW IT. No one can change it now, and we all understand that what people are banging on about are FUTURE CHANGES. The sour grapes theme is getting ever so slightly tedious now and doesn’t make any real contribution to the central debate.

Objectives - increase intensity, grow the player pool, expand the game with a clear goal to WIN at International level.

How - Two tens of Full time SL with 1 up/down between them. Minimum salary caps in each division. 26 fixtures plus 'on the road' game/Magic Weekend. Top 4 play off, w1- 1 v2, winner to final, 3 v 4 winner pays loser W2 to get to final

Finance - existing deal leaves SL2 with £620k per club, ideally if we can get another 1.8m per season, 180k per club, this would ensure a £1m min salary spend, SL1 must be £1.8M min, max for both should be 50% income

Overseas - max 3 per club SL1 and 2 in SL2, own grown - current FT clubs 6, new 6 within 4 years
Future - in 4 years goal to bring in 2 new FT clubs, then 2 more in 3 years time

Benefits - more intense SL1/2, expansion via ambition, relegation will not kill you, more FT players to select from, more opportunity to earn a FT living.

It's just strange we weren't hearing any of this last year (When Wigan had finished 2nd) whilst Wigan were still in the play-offs. As for the central debate, there are those who think it should be the table toppers and those who think it should be the grand final winners and regardless of all this pontificating, I've seen no evidence of anyones view point altering. In which case no one is making a "real contribution".

For the record, however, I feel that surporters of the top teams who want the play-offs reduced from 8 aren't being mindfull of the teams below them. In the past these teams were fighting until the end of the season to avoid relegation. The top 8 now gives them something they can aim at and, after Leeds have won the title from 5th, they could even hope to win the grand final (Regardless of how slim that chance may be.)

This debate has been going on the past few seasons regardless on whether Wigan finished top or not.

Oh we are mindful of the lower teams, we don't think they should be in SL... Too much dead wood...

Exactly. Instead of the e sides being made to improve the better sides are being held back tso they don't get upset. We have 4 or 5 sides that can provide mouth watering games whilst the rest roll over and have their bellies tickled.