The play off system detracts from the normal weekly rounds, as teams can afford to lose games, not finish top and still win the competition. Just look at some of Warringtons performances this year. It doesn't really hurt them like it used to when we had a Champion, who finished top of the table.
It's similar to the fact that there is no relegation, as it makes a lot of the games meaningless and takes away the need to win games, which in turn reduces the intensity and excitement.
It seems only at the later play off stages, does the need to win show up as much, as it is knock out rugby.

EVERYONE KNOWS THE SCORE AT THE START OF THE SEASSON, BASICALLY THEY GOT DICKKED BY LEEDS AND ITS JUST SOUR GRAPES FROM THE PIE-EATERS

Besides the fact the Pie Eaters moaning I do think a top 6 would be more respectable. Look how poor Hudds were at the back end of the season and they still got in. I think the challenge cup should be towards the end of the season similar to the FA Cup.

I am a an of the play offs and as has been stated, all clubs know the rules from the off.

I do think it should be reduced to either 5 or 6 teams. It does make a bit of farce when you can finish in the bottom half of the table and still qualify.

I think it should be reduced to 6, I also think it should be the league winners who represent in the World Cup Challenge, as I think a team should be recognized for their consistency over the season.

In my eyes it's like a separate competition, very well done to Wigan, they finished top proving week in week out that they were the best team and they got a trophy to show that. That's where that should end. Next phase is the play offs where the Top 6 (not should play each other to get to the Grand Final.

The Premiership was worth winning in a way that the plate isn't, but the GF is a RL success, so it is something that would be difficult to change.

Basically I agree with berro's best mate, above - adding only that it will only be some Wigan fans. Most will understand.

Quote: voodooroo "no kudos on winning that plate IMO'" Looks a tasty prize to me viewtopic.php?f=35&t=536392&tsmp=1349261453

Quote: voodooroo "no kudos on winning that plate IMO'" Looks a tasty prize to me viewtopic.php?f=35&t=536392&tsmp=1349261453

that wont happen, the rfl couldnt organise a pi$$ up in a brewery, and as for advertising, theyd probably sell the rights to tonys textiles.........
for afew curtains etc for red hall

Just imagine that at the start of the season each week you lose a star/top player through injury. Halfway through the season, 12 or 13 games gone, your languishing close to the bottom of the league then you start to get get your players back one by one. You scrape into the playoffs in 8th spot and your at full strength with your team all hitting their seasons peak fitness then you can go on to win the GF from the lowest qualifying spot. Sore losers the Wigan fans, almost think they have a right to win everything all the time.

Wigan are the best team this season regardless of the playoffs. The fact is all teams have ups and downs during a season but in a league format the best team tends to finish top 99% of the time.
Now we can have a team losing more than it wins during the season then string together 4 decent performances and win the "biggest" prize in RL.

When the play-offs started they had it just about right with the top 2 getting all the benefits as they have earned that right. They play in the first round and the winner is in the final. the loser then plays the team that rises to the top out of the next 3/4/5 teams. Now you finish top and still have to go on and win 2 more games to get to the final, so it starts to lose it's credibility and the only real benefit you have is a home tie which can count for very little in a knockout game.

That's how I see it.

I'm fine with a play off series to decide the champions but having more teams make the play offs than not is ridiculous. The current format does not give enough benefit to finishing top. You shouldn't have to win two play off games to get to the Grand Final if you finished top in the regular season.