The NRL semi finals attendances were 52,000 and 46,000.

I think what you mean is "50% of ST Holders begrudge paying £15 and upwards to see any game not covered by their ST". As for those who dont have a ST or membership - nobody knows because they never get offered a discount.

Its a very insular view by the RFL to not make these events attractive to the casual fan. No doubt come magic weekend the only discounts on offer will be to ST holders, and there'll be very few geordie voices heard around the Sports Direct Arena.

Why would cheap tickets see thousands of geordies clamouring to get seats?

Best way to get Geordies in would be to get a team playing in black and white stripes!!!

Isnt the idea to try to move the game more than 10 miles from the M62?

I think we might see a continuos drop off in attendances across all competitions if the game continues with slow mo wrestle mania low intensity games. Hopefully the 3 x 8 format might change things, if it doesn't then attendances might fall due to sporting boredom.

No. It's to provide a big day out for the RL community, especially the no-mark teams that would never normally get near a "final" type situation.

Why would cheap tickets see geordies attending in droves?

Also, if people from the area do come along and like what they see, what do we expect them to do? They are the best part of two hours away from their nearest Super League club

Perhaps you should ask Edinburgh Warrior.

How many hours away from Wembley is the nearest NFL club?

I'm not saying no one travels massive distances to watch rugby. Just that it wouldn't be worth putting on this big event just to pick up literally a handful of fanatics who will then make the effort to drive 2 hours to be able to watch the week after. The idea is obviously to provide an event for the majority of teams who won't be involved in either final and a good money-spinner for the sport.

If more than a handfull come along and like what they see maybe they will go to watch Gateshead and still enjoy Rugby League.