I don't know about anyone else but I'm just really worried about our game in general.



The Four Nations has for me been so so poorly run by the rfl. Why the hell are we playing games to half empty stadiums in London ( ok some logic ) and Coventry of all places ? It comes across as half hearted, poorly supported and just a bit embarrassing. I mean did you see the stadia ? And the Atmosphere? Looked awful on TV.

I fear that the product on show is also poor. Can any of you say that you feel the game is entertaining as it once was? I've been a rhino since 87 and my eyes glaze over with some of the stuff on show. Forwards clattering into each other and we have Stevo and Eddie waxing lyrical and gushing over big hits. The game has become so defence heavy there is little creativity anymore and we need to change this. I hate what I'm about to say but the union game is becoming vastly more interesting to watch. There's more endeavour, more open play and there's just as many big collisions as in league.

I live down south and I'd always stand my ground and claim rl is the greatest game but I'm not sure it is right now. I don't know what can change or how to change it but some of you must admit standards to watch are poor. That's not to say there are not any incredible games to watch but they are few and far between.

And then we have the way the game is run and the plight of the poor Bulls. I hate em, of course I do, but what has happened or been allowed to happen to them brings shame on our game and the administrators. If we lose Bradford who next? We need a solution here and the RFL need to sort this out once and for all. Those who run the club in such a fashion should be deemed not fit for purpose and banned From the game. There should be strict criteria to satisfy and business plans presented to, well I'd say the RFL, but somebody who can verify and approve.

I'm not sure why I'm writing this post but rugby league is in my blood and I care a huge amount but I guess I just feel so downbeat about our wonderful game right now.

IMO...RL in this country has just treaded water ever since i started watching the game in the 80's. We are still getting mullered by the Aussies...still a M62 corridor game...Big previously successful clubs go to the wall now and then, It was Widnes in the early 90's.



You see how far RU has come in that period and it can get very depressing so i get your downbeat view. For me, i have come to accept by now that the game in this country will always be exactly how it has been the last few decades whilst it is run by the short sighted, incompetent morons at the RFL.

Some things I agree with. The games are certainly not as entertaining as they were 10 years ago. We are no closer to beating the Aussies.



I disagree about the games being staged away from the north. The game in London attracted more fans than if we'd have staged it in Wigan, hudds or hull. The same with Coventry. New fans will have gone to these games and experienced RL live for the first time. Whilst to a RL hardcore the game is poorer than it was, I still think it provides good entertainment to a newbie, and at a fraction of the cost of going to Twickenham. I don't think you can complain that were an m62 game then decry the fact that it's being showcased outside of the heartlands.



The thing that worries me most is finance. The game over here has no money. Without money in the game opportunities to expand or improve are limited. If Bradford go under its another nail in the coffin. A big club with potential for large crowds had gone from the game

There simply isn't enough money in the game. Accept what it is, a minor sport played in a certain part of the country.

Union has one massive advantage, a thriving international game. It draws sponsors and wealthy businessmen into the game to bankroll clubs. No way could the likes of Gloucester or Bath afford a salary cap of 6.5 million (7 next year) on crowds alone.

Expansion of the game will NEVER happen. Accept that and then you can get on with doing a proper job with what there is now.

100% agree with DHM i'll also add we can still make our game in this country better with simple changes to the fixture list & play off structure.

Id also make running a reserve grade a standard requirement for ALL SL clubs.

Finally Eagle to see the Premier Elite International RL Fixture on the Calendar played in front of a half empty ground in Coventry was shocking planning on every level as was not having Scotland actually play on their home turf.

Agreed. I would like to see what little money we do have invested in making the heartland clubs stronger instead of chasing pipe dreams of expansion built on foundations of sand.



I know it comes across as short sighted, and it's not the way i want to think it really isn't, but common sense surely says now that RL will never be anything more than a northern sport in England.

Not saying thier isn't any problems in the game and I agree the four nations was poorly run and someones head should roll. BUT



We have a sell out GF every year MW is bigger than ever. We had the biggest WC ever just a few years ago and a record attenened NZ series last year.

Thing is, if we made sure our heartland clubs were on a sound footing, expansion would come easily and certainly less painfully than we have seen so far with only Catalans coming through relatively painless.



And TBF they have a wealthy backer keen to bankroll them.

How long we had this same debate now?

A loooong time. When I started watching the game it was Bridgend and Kent Invicta as "expansion" areas, then Fulham. I guess the financial pressures weren't there until the international ban was lifted and then the Bradford fire and it's aftermath with regard to stadium requirements. Then Wigan went full pro and off we went.



Another change was of course when Union finally admitted it was professional.

That is what could ultimately prove fatal to RL, after all it was what provoked the schism in the first place.

Indeed.

Our games lack of response to the going pro was the issue, allowing them to hijack the name "rugby" removing the union bit, they even call there domestic cup the challenge cup now.



I really think we should consider banning players from our game if they switch. They started to war and in principle we one by definition that they went pro. Since then we have rolled over for our bellies tickling.

funny there was no outcry when loads of top players took the league shilling before union went pro, boots on the other foot now.