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| Super League 2009 | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Monday, 31. March 2008, 22:54 (873 Views) | |
| crispy | Monday, 31. March 2008, 22:54 Post #1 |
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Thoughts?? |
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| Andy the machine | Monday, 31. March 2008, 23:33 Post #2 |
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Go on then! I gave my thoughts in the appointment thread- Ive always said this is a good step forward. The financial pool is nowhere near as big as football, and relegated teams cannot keep players full time, thus stunting their education. Many good players could have been great if they had been given more SL exposure, instead of relying on past it names from the NRL, who go back to oz to retire at the end of that season. With regards the process, well the big four (Bulls, Saints, Wigan, them!) will be fine. Interesting issue with reagrds Saints home, Im not sure Knowsley Road will be classed as sufficiant. Should the RFL take the unlikely decision that it wont, Anfield has been touted as a replacement until their new ground is built. The others mentioned, well Toulouse es tres interessant, as they will have to have taken some very precise market reasearch, to convince the RFL French Rugby League can right now hold two super league sides. Im not sure about that, but I think we can class the Catalans experiment as a sucess, and Im sure they'd get in easy first time of asking. Both Hulls and Warrington will also have very little if anything to do with regards convincing top brass of their super league worth. Halifax should be put on a charge of wasting the RFLs time with theirs. An average attendance of about 1000, and a few sheets of steel where a stand should have been in 2002 is hardly what the franchise system sought to bring in. Better luck in 2012. Ditto with Celtic crusaders, who have made great strides in their very short history. Can it be sustained? I think we'll know the answer more in three years. Salford would get my approval, but Id be waiting to see if the financial probelms at Widnes have gone away perminantly before giving them one. Leigh lasted one term in SL, and were relegated in record time. I struggle to see how they meet most if anything of the creteria set down. Featherstone lose points as one of their props ended my career. a mate of mine plays for the giants, so I hope they stick around. Its always nice going balistic when he gets smashed in the tackle by one of the bulls! Out of the exsisting sides, Wakefield and Cas should be the most worried. Both could be heading for the dreaded C licence, and if they do its anyones guess whether they get in. |
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| crispy | Tuesday, 1. April 2008, 08:25 Post #3 |
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My views: I can see why it has been brought it, but for me it still has its negatives (no relegation, perhaps producing a "stale" league), but c'est la vie!! Of the 12 in the SL at the moment: Bradford - safe (big 4) Castleford - potentially in trouble Catalans - safe (French connection - necessary) Harlequins - safe (think one south team is essential) Huddersfield - safe (good stadium) Hull FC - safe (good stadium) Hull KR - not sure Leeds - safe (big 4) St Helens - safe (big 4; although ground concerns) Wakefield - potentially in trouble Warrington - safe (performance this season may have come at the right time!) Wigan - safe (big 4) The new recruits are rumoured to be: Toulouse - do we need a 2nd French club? I think not! Salford - probable Widnes - as mentioned earlier; financial concerns Celtic Crusaders - possibly Leigh - performance doubts Featherstone - erm, not sure at all Halifax - attendance/stadium doubts I've gone for the 12 in bold, and then perm 2 from 4 of those in italics! :P |
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| crispy | Tuesday, 1. April 2008, 13:12 Post #4 |
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I remember going to the Shay when I went with a friend to watch Halifax play Hartlepool (good pie and peas from a shop window round the corner from the away end BTW!) There was a hole in the stand when I was there (circa 2002) when the football club were on the verge of administration (if they weren't already in it). |
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| Andy the machine | Tuesday, 1. April 2008, 14:25 Post #5 |
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Tragically there isn't a "good pie and peas shop round the corner" Criteria for the Blue Sox (which incidently is the stupidest name in Rugby!) to meet. Now from what we've said, that puts the nail in Halifax's bid. Total no-go, unless they know a guy who'd put a state of the art 20,000 seater stadium up in three months for nothing. Cas will probably be at the foot of the table in July, which wont help their bid any. Good selection from Crispy, but from that leaves another concern. We have agreed to the expansion (though we keep hearing of playing too many games as it is, how does having two more teams rectify that?!), but are there 14 clubs who would get above "C" license status? If not, then I hope we just agree to go with the 12. Going with 14, and bringing 2 clubs along for the ride a poor idea. KR make my list as theyve been a superb addition to the Super League. Humberside Derbies have been great and both have claimed wins over each other. Their attendances have been above what they could expect, and I see them going from relegation candidates last term to a top 6 finish this. Maccas job at the bulls safe now, but I know Morgan topped a lot of our wish list if our poor start saw him get the axe. No relegation I know, but the franchise is for three years, and sides that consistantly wooden spoon it will be looking nervously over their shoulder. As Ive said, Im sure Celtic Crusaders will be ready for the super league then if they carry on at the rate they are developing at. Interesting that youve gone with Toulouse, Id have to see extensive and genuine study that tells me 10,000 are going to attend their home games, and that the South of France has the development, sustainabilty and general interest to ward off the yawnion fanbase. The game in France basically died, whereas they are the last side to beat an Aussie side in a test series (1972). Would be great if they established themselves, but Paris has already failed and Id hate for another one to do so. Possibly best Les Cats just keep up their good work. |
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| crispy | Tuesday, 1. April 2008, 20:42 Post #6 |
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I perhaps should have said those are the ones who I think the authorities will choose, not necessarily my choices. (I was rushing to get to work!) I agree that 12 would probably work better than 14, and therefore take my 10 SL sides, and probably add Wakefield and Salford. The only other thing I was thinking is that currently we have 27 matches, presumably that will change if there are 14 teams in the league? Not that it's a problem for me - the more SL the better!! :D I would also like to add my doubts about Anfield being used for SL. Point 1) - poor pitch!! What at they doing to the pitch?? I know MU fans have had doubts about OT being used for the GF. Point 2) - is Anfield really a suitable stadium for RL? Is it not a little "big"? |
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| flipmode | Wednesday, 2. April 2008, 02:18 Post #7 |
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Over the past two seasons I have grown increasingly found of Leage over Union (or Yawnion as some people put it). This talk of expanding what is the best Rugby League in the world is one that greatly intrigues me. Working not too far from Salford (or in it to be more precise) I would love to see them back in the Super League. I think Tolouse would be another good addition, simply for the away game in the summer :P I can't see Leigh or Featherstone Rovers getting in, simply due to the fact, IMO, they would go straight back down - although a sell out at Leigh would be electric I think :D I don't think Widnes would get it either due to financial concerns, so that then leaves Halifax and Celtic Crusaders. I could definitley see Halifax getting the nod over the Crusaders. OK The Shay isn't the best ground in the world, but neither is Knowsley Road. I think The Shay is more geared for RL than it is for football so for that reason I'd say them over the Crusaders. No matter what happens though, Super League 09 will be one hell of a season for Rugby League, and I for one cannae wait. :P |
| Sydney. Where the sun shines constantly, and the trees burn in summer. | |
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| Andy the machine | Friday, 4. April 2008, 22:32 Post #8 |
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After tonight, the only question about SL09 is whether or not the Bulls can make it two grand final wins in a row. We're coming up fast, and I am well aware the Rhinos are peaking now. The Bulls did it in '00, and we have learnt from it. Bradford Bulls, coming to a grand final near you! Back to the topic, No relegation would have netted Salford Aussie great Craig Gower. He instead went to yawnion, and would have been a red if he wasnt worried about their impending doom. I have no problem with top draw Aussies joining us, its the ones after a payday who have been brought in to keep the club up that has to end (and would). |
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| Andy the machine | Sunday, 20. April 2008, 12:20 Post #9 |
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Just to add- Leigh probably will get in, theyve got a new ground which will get them the B liscence status needed. Didnt realise the work they had put in, they changed their ground plans when the creteria was announced, so they could get another 2000 in as required. Toulouse were looking good for a place until they took to the field at Odsal. We would struggle to get 96 points playing unopposed rugby, no way can they make the change in personel needed to be competitive in SL next term. Theyre 17 away from having a decent starting line up. Oh, and we bombed about 7 scoring opportunities. We were poor in putting 96 past a side, who lost all their stars to Catalans when they got an SL place. Yesterday was catagoric proof that the South of France does not have the depth needed to host 2 SL sides. |
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| crispy | Thursday, 15. May 2008, 08:21 Post #10 |
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Just seen this on Wikipedia. I was aware Boots 'n' All ran a profile on each club for their suitability for SL09 - the "grades" BnA have given clubs so far is as follows: Bradford B Widnes B Leigh B Huddersfield B Salford B Castleford C Warrington A Wakefield C Halifax D Harlequins RL B Featherstone C Hull FC A That's eight (to press) that have been covered that should make the SL. The current SL clubs not to have been covered so far are: Leeds St Helens Wigan Hull KR Catalans So based on those five all making it (KR maybe the only doubtful one, but they should make it) and the eight highlighted above, there is potentially one place left; probably Celtic Crusaders or Toulouse unless some other English side launches an outstanding bid. PS - looks like the RFL listed to you re: Halifax Andy! :D :P |
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| Andy the machine | Friday, 16. May 2008, 15:44 Post #11 |
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Facinating stuff. Yeah Halifax is a total no-chance, but the others I find intriguing. Taking all rivallry aside, Leeds could get an A, maybe B but definetly in. Boots n'all criteria and research means I doubt the findings will be any different to the official one when it comes out. Superb job by Angie Powers and the team. Widness's "B status suprising. The team were relegated and have missed out on four seperate attempts to get back. Upheaval behind the scenes mean I cant see how they could have proved themselves to be sustainable. They obviously have though. Still can't see Wakefield being asked to leave the competition. They've been in since '99 and have given us entertainment under Kear. I think (and no disrespect) they thrive off Bulls and Rhinos cast offs, and the space to blood frindge players from other sides is why this might work. Can't imagine how Toulouse are being considered. The 98-6 drubbing at Odsal (Solomona knocked on over the line twice, and Macca critisised our performance afterwards) tell me Les Cats are the only French team that should be considered viable right now. Im all for improving the French game, but not to super leagues detriment. KR should get in. What a time for sport in Hull right now. |
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| crispy | Monday, 21. July 2008, 19:28 Post #12 |
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Tomorrow is D-Day for the 19 teams who have applied for a Super League licence. The Beeb seem to be pretty certain that the 14 teams for the next three seasons will comprise the current 12, plus two from Toulouse, Celtic Crusaders, Featherstone Rovers, Halifax RLFC, Leigh Centurions, Salford City Reds and Widnes Vikings. However, Sky Sports (courtesy of Wiki) seem to have a different opinion. They have carried out detailed analysis on the 19 sides, and of the current 12 sides, Hull KR, Castleford and Wakefield will have a sleepless night tonight. FWIW I can see one side of the current 12 having some bad news tomorrow............. |
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| crispy | Tuesday, 22. July 2008, 13:25 Post #13 |
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Sooooooooooo, the results are in!!!! It's the 12 current sides, plus Salford and the Celtic Crusaders. Slightly surprised, but I suppose some would say expected. Any comments?? |
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| flipmode | Wednesday, 23. July 2008, 01:26 Post #14 |
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I got Salford City Reds right, I just went for Halifax over the Celtic Crusaders. I bet Widnes are spitting feathers, although I knew they wouldn't get in :dance: |
| Sydney. Where the sun shines constantly, and the trees burn in summer. | |
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| crispy | Wednesday, 23. July 2008, 08:21 Post #15 |
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Salford was predictable - they are the best performing side in NL1 at present, and AFAIK they do the basics well behind the scenes. Celtic was also predictable I suppose, as it gives a new "dimension" to RL with regards to Geography. But Halifax?? They should have got a Z licence! Crowds of little over 1,000; poor finances; poor ground, and generally just poor!! They were least likely (IMO) to get in. Widnes can probably feel a little hard done by, but probably the two best contenders got in. I was mildly surprised though to see all 12 SL sides get in though. |
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| flipmode | Wednesday, 23. July 2008, 23:28 Post #16 |
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Yeah I work with a guy who worships the ground the whole St Helens squad walk on, I was winding him up all day saying they wouldn't get in, and that my adopted RL Club (Salford - seeing as though I work there) would walk the Franchised League next year :P Should be interesting though when it's all up for 'renewal' again. I can see them increasing it by one team, with the likelihood of Widnes getting in being all to high :thumbup: |
| Sydney. Where the sun shines constantly, and the trees burn in summer. | |
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