League Express Podcast #54: Are officials dictating the outcome of games? + Leigh sneak into sixth

[@NedAtfield]

I don't see how you can think Hull FC being relegated at the expense of London is good for the game? Hull FC despite coming second last posted a crowd of over 10k? And I was at the game in London over the weekend at least half of that 4k were Leeds fans. While I whole heartedly agree having a London team is no doubt a good thing for super league long term, in the short term when we are trying to increase the value of our broadcast deal to sustain our competition we need to be able to confidently tell broadcasters for the length of the deal they will have access to the largest most engaged audience that super league has to offer which the IMG grading criteria ensures.

[@markh7242]

A red in Super League is only a yellow in the NRL. Hence the reason super league is poorer to watch

[@rjworldsportsnews]

I really wish RFL/Super League and IMG get things sorted in this country - 14 teams I think is best home and away with a view of building to 16 teams in 3 or 4 years… there are clubs in the Championship that if they are in Super League will get good crowds - look at Wakefield and they attendances this year in Championship, Bradford will pull crowds in, other clubs too - Oldham from League One are on the up as well now with investment

[@akp1983]

Grow Rugby league by adding Oldham to super league?

[@rjworldsportsnews]

@@akp1983 I didn’t say grow rugby league by adding Oldham lol not sure where you got that from but it’s about having well run clubs who have good investment and can pull semi decent crowds in who could potentially build towards Super League and make it more competitive and Oldham have shown since the big investment into their club and Mike Ford as coach that they have potential to make a case to get back into Super League eventually, they have been in Super League in the past and I think they would pull decent crowds if they did I’d like to see. We need London in imo it’s important to have the capital in, but we need to maybe look at new ways of running the game down there.

[@akp1983]

@@rjworldsportsnews img gave Oldham a C. Biggest crowd of 2041 since 2008! Oldham in super league for 2 years, had less than half the average crowds relegated and bankrupt. Newcastle had investment, how did that go? We want to grow the sport tiny town teams like Oldham are not the answer. Name the 14 clubs that pull a crowd, to start with?

[@rjworldsportsnews]

@@akp1983 I totally get you and where you are coming from but what we need is a good blend and balance of traditional heartland clubs and new ventures that if invested, run and marketed with the right business model will build a fan base and a presence. I would actually go for 16 clubs right now ( I know that probs won’t happen will be 14) and I would like to see these go into Super League now: (Not in any particular order) Leeds Rhinos Wigan Warriors Warrington Wolves Catalans Dragons St Helens London Broncos Wakefield Trinity Hull KR Hull FC Toulouse Olympique Castleford Tigers Bradford Bulls Salford Red Devils Leigh Leopards Huddersfield Giants York I think 16 home and away no loop fixtures Then look to build the strength of the new venture clubs and build the brand of Championship in its own right .. clubs can aspire to get into Super league if they run their clubs right and build a fan base and get the right investment Mid season open it up for a couple of weeks for a representative period - England v France hasn’t caught imagination but maybe we could have a 2 game series featuring full England team against an Exiles team so they have some level of competition and have all the home nations play eachother too double or triple headers for a few weeks whilst break in season and have France involved too and possibly England Knights / make it an event to get excited about give the home nations some proper test matches - like a Euro Nations or something and maybe they can finish the remaining games off at end of season in the autumn international period .. only an idea but we need to do something as thrashing France in a meaningless one off test does nothing for the game or the fans

[@akp1983]

@@rjworldsportsnews how long will the season last? What happens to international rugby? Where are the players coming from? Why not Fev? Why not Halifax? We need traditional clubs but the NRL got rid of Balmain tigers. Talking crowds, Wakefield made the super league playoffs with an average crowd of 4,814! Which teams asked for loop fixtures in the first place? Loop fixtures are set to remain part of Super League next season, despite IMG's recommendation to get rid of them. The sport is run by the clubs. First, that has to change.

[@emma00b]

always love getting stuck in listening to rugby league chat thats my tuesday sorted

[@jamesmorgan85]

Direct shoulder contact to the head has been a red forever. I don't agree with the 3 game ban follow up though.

[@taykitrleevitt4314]

Because of the possible effects of concussions on Rob Burrow, I understand the need to protect player's health - but sending players off and suspending players for accidental contact is ruining the game.

[@RivingtonAve]

Didn't realise there was a link between Rugby League and MND?

[@kevinworrall231]

​@@RivingtonAvethere isn't , not that I've heard of anyway

[@akp1983]

How many concussions did Stephen Hawking suffer with? Who did he play for again?

[@broomfs]

Always a balanced view.

[@mikeowen1192]

Everyone wants consistency which has improved since all games are televised but there's still a few dodgy decisions made but Refs are human well some off them it's a tough job ,

[@deaddropholiday]

Yeah Harrigan was so obsessed with keeping a low profile he got the nickname Hollywood 😂

[@paulfrancis8764]

Expand the number of Teams!!!!!!!!! 14 initially then 16! Be great to see a Cumbrian club in the top flight again.

[@taykitrleevitt4314]

Only if they earn the position with promotion and relegation.

[@paulfrancis8764]

@@taykitrleevitt4314 Absolutely!

[@JamesHill-nx1yg]

Should make it 14 for next season!! Then make it 16 with London and a team from Cumbria. Get rid of loop fixtures

[@GarryCarr56]

Agree about Cumbria, surely the fans up there in Workington and Whitehaven should admit these two can join together to form the Cumbria team

[@JacobWoods07]

16 teams home and away once

[@akp1983]

Name the 16 teams.

[@kevinnoble9138]

Yes, yellow cards fucked Hull KR last night, 13 v 13 Wigan 6 Hull KR 20

[@Lezzyboy87]

Hi guys, there are leagues outside super league...poor

[@taykitrleevitt4314]

As a Viking fan, I agree - but with no TV coverage, I'd be surprised if anyone outside of Championship clubs would have seen any action outside of KZbin highlights.