Just put on a DVD of the 1982 CC final and replay or the 1985 CC final to see how the game was and still should be played!

That is until the powers that be sold the games soul to Sky, changed the rules and format year on year to try and make the game more appealing to the neutral tv viewer. We have virtually done away with tackling and play the balls and the game now resembles a basket ball game, we score you score.
Until we get back to the roots of the sport and what actually made it a great game to watch and not just a try fest aimed at casual tv viewers then the game will continue to decline imo.

The Aussie coaches have basically stolen the skill out of RL over the last 20+ years, as Raggytash said earlier (& I alluded to this on the VT) wrestling/waiting for the ref to be told to get off, not playing the ball and various other aspects of the game have almost nullified the variety of the game.
When was the last time you saw a chip over the top on anything but the last tackle, (maybe Chase), when was the last time you saw a short kick-off when teams are already turning their backs and jogging back) other than when chasing the game, the game is completely and utterly boring at times, there's barely any thought outside the realms of drive/dummy runner & kick to corner or putting it up high.

Like others, I rarely come up these days as it's a fair old journey and not cheap (50% more for the travel than the ticket) but I'll keep coming when I can but I can't say I'm enjoying the sport that much..think I need to go watch some local amateur to get my juices back

Chris Sandow does it almost every game.....

I watch most NRL games every weekend and aim to get to most live Roosters games. I'll tune into EuroSport to catch Hull FC when live on TV, however I hardly watch any other SL games. For me, the speed and aggression is light years behind that of NRL. I hate to say it, but without Hull FC, my SL interest is nonexistent.

And, please dont get me started on the commentators......

a very interesting post.

Really looking forward to tonights game should be a cracker.

Some of the NRL games a few years back were terrible to watch , To defense orientated ,Wrestle & slow ptb . The two ref system has certainly helped to speed the game up over there now with less interference in the ruck .