Super League 2025

[Harryflashman]

What I meant about the 2,000 fans, was them going on days out to Wembley or Old Trafford for the grand final and challenge cup. You’d also have fans from Oldham, Swindon, Rochdale and Yorkshire clubs travelling to those games because it was a good day out. They’d also take fans to international games. The RFL destroyed those clubs by giving them no hope of reaching Super League. The sport ends up losing out on fans. Them venues look empty on the telly, it makes the sport look small time. It’s not going to gain new fans the sport or people investing money because you’ve got your two biggest events empty.

14 teams is gonna be a struggle. It all depends on who they bring in I suppose. If it’s London and Toulouse then clubs will be losing out on away fans. 3 clubs bringing no away fans is bad.

On a non argumentative note if you haven’t read hope & glory , rugby league in the thatcher years . It’s worth a read .

I take your points and don’t get me wrong if my team was the wrong side of the ladder being drawn up I’d almost certainly agree with you . Let’s face it as blues we experience it on a daily basis . The difference is the premier league is unfortunately thriving and I’m extremely concerned RL is hurtling towards oblivion.

Interesting how the Aussies thrive on the franchise system and teams like Sydney bears are happy to surrender their team to Perth to see it develop. That’s not something I can ever see happening here , nor the amalgamations that led us to much of the NRL we see today . If it did I think things might play out differently but again it’s easy for me to say .

I think it’s mad when I see the fanfare the lions get over here and then I read game one free to air on channel 9 for 800k viewers whilst origin decider for 4.8 million . It saddens me to see how much the game over there leaves us behind , I mean I love the NRL but they’re now a billion pound company ahd we’re got Nigel wood .

 

[widnesblue]

See honestly they bring very few over but as I say Huddersfield brought double digits this year and understandably given the circumstances but so did Salford .

Catalan have one a challenge cup and been to two grand finals , given the history at the top of the sport it’d be difficult to describe that as anything but a success .

I regularly watch saints away and I’ll admit they take a few and spend some money but are we suggesting Nigel wood is concerned for the infrastructure of the Wakefield area ? Because I’ll be honest I suggest he isn’t .

those at the top of the sport they’re behaving like children because loads goes to Catalan and has a brilliant few days and they are jealous . They think that money should be at magic , well make more of an effort because Elland road come on .

If clubs want to make money do what KR have done , even Leigh and make it an experience . Instead they want to do nothing and demand fans pay for warm beer and cold pies . The lack of effort from 90% of the clubs is the problem and it manifests itself in jealousy.

I went to Wakefield this year , they’re doing well and have been great to watch at times with some good players . In a big improvement to last time I was up there was actually toilets , not real ones obviously but portaloos . 5 for the away fans but yeah Catalan are the problem.

I keep saying I think Widnes were treated harshly and I feel for you but do you think shoehorning Bradford for big Nige and Oldham into super league circumventing the very IMG designed to structure the leagues is the answer ? Oldham were averaging 6/700 a couple of years ago , admittedly now it’s 2000 , short term at least but how many will travel , . York have at that average of 2000 for years and seem ambitious so maybe they’ll bring something.

The game is in trouble , I think we can both agree on that, and for me the only viable plan to grow and not stagnate at very best is expansion . For me that would be driven by the NRL but with wood in charge it feels like a pipe dream.

I don’t have any answers but more teams from the corridor appears to have been our plan forever and frankly it hasn’t and isn’t working .

Honestly mate, I’m not arguing with you. You make really valid points and more valid points than me to be honest.

The RFL are totally useless I totally agree, they have been for decades.

I agree that the heartland clubs haven’t been pulling there weight for many of years, they are a reason why the sport is in a massive decline too. Especially the super league clubs. The likes of Wakefield, Huddersfield, Salford and castleford. They should have been doing a lot more instead of relying on just sky money.

Widnes have themselves to blame to be honest, they’ve been so poorly ran for years but they have been screwed over so many times. That fans have walked away in huge numbers. We played Bradford at home on Sunday and think they gave the crowd at just over 3,000. Bradford brought a good crowd with them to be fair.

I went York away last year, lovely place but they aren’t ready for Super League. The ground is far from the city centre to walk too. The ground is built on a retail park so not a lot there apart from a Nando’s.

The game is in a massive crisis, no money trickling down to grass roots what so ever. The coaching is pathetic too. My eldest lad is 16, plays for Blackbrook and got a scholarship at Saints and it’s all about straight and conditioning trading instead of skills and speed.

The NRL need to take over super league but sadly I think they’ll just use the clubs as feeder clubs.

 

[9LeagueTitles5FACups]

See honestly they bring very few over but as I say Huddersfield brought double digits this year and understandably given the circumstances but so did Salford .

Catalan have one a challenge cup and been to two grand finals , given the history at the top of the sport it’d be difficult to describe that as anything but a success .

I regularly watch saints away and I’ll admit they take a few and spend some money but are we suggesting Nigel wood is concerned for the infrastructure of the Wakefield area ? Because I’ll be honest I suggest he isn’t .

those at the top of the sport they’re behaving like children because loads goes to Catalan and has a brilliant few days and they are jealous . They think that money should be at magic , well make more of an effort because Elland road come on .

If clubs want to make money do what KR have done , even Leigh and make it an experience . Instead they want to do nothing and demand fans pay for warm beer and cold pies . The lack of effort from 90% of the clubs is the problem and it manifests itself in jealousy.

I went to Wakefield this year , they’re doing well and have been great to watch at times with some good players . In a big improvement to last time I was up there was actually toilets , not real ones obviously but portaloos . 5 for the away fans but yeah Catalan are the problem.

I keep saying I think Widnes were treated harshly and I feel for you but do you think shoehorning Bradford for big Nige and Oldham into super league circumventing the very IMG designed to structure the leagues is the answer ? Oldham were averaging 6/700 a couple of years ago , admittedly now it’s 2000 , short term at least but how many will travel , . York have at that average of 2000 for years and seem ambitious so maybe they’ll bring something.

The game is in trouble , I think we can both agree on that, and for me the only viable plan to grow and not stagnate at very best is expansion . For me that would be driven by the NRL but with wood in charge it feels like a pipe dream.

I don’t have any answers but more teams from the corridor appears to have been our plan forever and frankly it hasn’t and isn’t working .

Some of the clubs could do more to invest in their matchday experience. I have never been to their ground, but Hull KR look like they have attempted to draw more fans in by improving the matchday experience. More clubs which are willing to make investments on and off the field are required.

 

[Harryflashman]

Some of the clubs could do more to invest in their matchday experience. I have never been to their ground, but Hull KR look like they have attempted to draw more fans in by improving the matchday experience. More clubs which are willing to make investments on and off the field are required.

Yeah I’ve been and hull kr is good , for the home fans not really for the away as it’s at the opposite end and no access but they should be applauded for having a go .

I don’t like Leigh but there’s is a decent experience for both sets of fans

 

[Harryflashman]

Honestly mate, I’m not arguing with you. You make really valid points and more valid points than me to be honest.

The RFL are totally useless I totally agree, they have been for decades.

I agree that the heartland clubs haven’t been pulling there weight for many of years, they are a reason why the sport is in a massive decline too. Especially the super league clubs. The likes of Wakefield, Huddersfield, Salford and castleford. They should have been doing a lot more instead of relying on just sky money.

Widnes have themselves to blame to be honest, they’ve been so poorly ran for years but they have been screwed over so many times. That fans have walked away in huge numbers. We played Bradford at home on Sunday and think they gave the crowd at just over 3,000. Bradford brought a good crowd with them to be fair.

I went York away last year, lovely place but they aren’t ready for Super League. The ground is far from the city centre to walk too. The ground is built on a retail park so not a lot there apart from a Nando’s.

The game is in a massive crisis, no money trickling down to grass roots what so ever. The coaching is pathetic too. My eldest lad is 16, plays for Blackbrook and got a scholarship at Saints and it’s all about straight and conditioning trading instead of skills and speed.

The NRL need to take over super league but sadly I think they’ll just use the clubs as feeder clubs.

Nando’s you say ?

I’m in

 

[widnesblue]

On a non argumentative note if you haven’t read hope & glory , rugby league in the thatcher years . It’s worth a read .

I take your points and don’t get me wrong if my team was the wrong side of the ladder being drawn up I’d almost certainly agree with you . Let’s face it as blues we experience it on a daily basis . The difference is the premier league is unfortunately thriving and I’m extremely concerned RL is hurtling towards oblivion.

Interesting how the Aussies thrive on the franchise system and teams like Sydney bears are happy to surrender their team to Perth to see it develop. That’s not something I can ever see happening here , nor the amalgamations that led us to much of the NRL we see today . If it did I think things might play out differently but again it’s easy for me to say .

I think it’s mad when I see the fanfare the lions get over here and then I read game one free to air on channel 9 for 800k viewers whilst origin decider for 4.8 million . It saddens me to see how much the game over there leaves us behind , I mean I love the NRL but they’re now a billion pound company ahd we’re got Nigel wood .

I haven’t read the book but believe it’s really good. I’ve got one about how French rugby league was sabotaged back in the 1920’s I think but never got round the reading it.

Honestly mate, I’m not arguing with you, just giving my opinion.

Widnes was replaced by Catalans in 06, also by that Welsh team again a few years later. RL in Widnes is in a massive decline. No amateur open age teams, two clubs for kids, it’s not been played in schools, rugby pitches have been replaced by football pitches. It’s sad because they are still producing the players who are getting picked up by the likes of saints and Wigan. The ashes this year, the starting half backs could be Harry Smith and Lewis Dodd if he starts getting a run of games over in Aus. Both Widnes lads. Sadly less kids are playing it.

There franchise works over there because it’s such a massive sport. They don’t have the possibility of relegation so they can bring kids through and try them. When they done it in SL they still relied on 3rd rate Aussies, kiwis and Pacific Islanders.

They are levels above SL and union over there aren’t they? Honestly, if the NRL take over SL I hope they run it right, because when it’s played the right way, no other sport is better to watch.

Nigel Wood coming back into the fold was and is a joke. One idiot of a man him. But he’s a yes man for certain clubs.

 

[Harryflashman]

I haven’t read the book but believe it’s really good. I’ve got one about how French rugby league was sabotaged back in the 1920’s I think but never got round the reading it.

Honestly mate, I’m not arguing with you, just giving my opinion.

Widnes was replaced by Catalans in 06, also by that Welsh team again a few years later. RL in Widnes is in a massive decline. No amateur open age teams, two clubs for kids, it’s not been played in schools, rugby pitches have been replaced by football pitches. It’s sad because they are still producing the players who are getting picked up by the likes of saints and Wigan. The ashes this year, the starting half backs could be Harry Smith and Lewis Dodd if he starts getting a run of games over in Aus. Both Widnes lads. Sadly less kids are playing it.

There franchise works over there because it’s such a massive sport. They don’t have the possibility of relegation so they can bring kids through and try them. When they done it in SL they still relied on 3rd rate Aussies, kiwis and Pacific Islanders.

They are levels above SL and union over there aren’t they? Honestly, if the NRL take over SL I hope they run it right, because when it’s played the right way, no other sport is better to watch.

Nigel Wood coming back into the fold was and is a joke. One idiot of a man him. But he’s a yes man for certain clubs.

Not arguing with you either fella , there are far to few of us fans of the game to fall out that’s for sure .

Despite my early reticence I’ve enjoyed the back and forth and just as you said to me you’ve made some good points as well .

Reasoned debate and argument , I’ll never take off .

 

[widnesblue]

Not arguing with you either fella , there are far to few of us fans of the game to fall out that’s for sure .

Despite my early reticence I’ve enjoyed the back and forth and just as you said to me you’ve made some good points as well .

Reasoned debate and argument , I’ll never take off .

It’s what makes the sport great! We all have different opinions on how to make it better.

I don’t think Summer rugby is working especially where league is played, maybe try going back to winter and give it ago. I know it would be Grimm going to places like Batley in the winter. But it might attract more fans. With it been a family sport and where it’s played, families can’t afford to go during the summer with the half term, holidays, uniforms and other household stuff to pay for. Also in my opinion, they aren’t playing enough games per season. Clubs can’t be running a business on only 13 weeks a year operation.

 

[9LeagueTitles5FACups]

I agree with much of what has been mentioned above and would like to add that I think that there are definitely some teams in Super League who do not pull their own weight - especially Castleford and Huddersfield. The league needs to become more competitive if it is to attract new fans, given that few people will want to watch a league with quite as many thrashings as Super League has.

Nobody can say Super League is competitive whilst keeping a straight face. The competition has only had four champions (Wigan, St Helens, Bradford and Leeds) since its inception, with only three of those currently competing in the competition. Although I am a Wigan fan, I must admit that it would be a good thing to see a new champion, even if only for the headlines and nothing else. Of course I would support Wigan in a Grand Final, but if Wigan were not involved I would favour a non-champion to win it.

At the end of the day, any expansion team ought to be competitive and bring something to the table.

 

[widnesblue]

I agree with much of what has been mentioned above and would like to add that I think that there are definitely some teams in Super League who do not pull their own weight - especially Castleford and Huddersfield. The league needs to become more competitive if it is to attract new fans, given that few people will want to watch a league with quite as many thrashings as Super League has.

Nobody can say Super League is competitive whilst keeping a straight face. The competition has only had four champions (Wigan, St Helens, Bradford and Leeds) since its inception, with only three of those currently competing in the competition. Although I am a Wigan fan, I must admit that it would be a good thing to see a new champion, even if only for the headlines and nothing else. Of course I would support Wigan in a Grand Final, but if Wigan were not involved I would favour a non-champion to win it.

At the end of the day, any expansion team ought to be competitive and bring something to the table.

Always start with your on field product had your selling point. Stop training them to be physical and go back to players having speed, flare and skill.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I don't really understand this. The teams at the bottom are already kinda cannon fodder and there don't appear to be enough good players to go around. Surely it's better to increase the cap so we can both attract more quality into the sport but also allow bigger squads that ensure teams can rotate and not play players when they're injured. This will be even more so when they introduce the caps on minutes next season.

 

[Harryflashman]

I don't really understand this. The teams at the bottom are already kinda cannon fodder and there don't appear to be enough good players to go around. Surely it's better to increase the cap so we can both attract more quality into the sport but also allow bigger squads that ensure teams can rotate and not play players when they're injured. This will be even more so when they introduce the caps on minutes next season.

The problem with increasing the cap is that everyone is currently losing money and a lot of it , the clubs with wealthy Owners even a genuine billionaire are pushing for it though obviously .

Those at the bottom can’t compete presently so will be left even further behind . The changes to quota are likely just to see more overseas journeymen . A lad I know didn’t make it in super league 20 years ago and now thinks he’d very likely forge a decent albeit low paid career now so poor at many top flight squad members.

The sport desperately needs an overhaul, however the powers that be seem intent on tinkering at most . All the while attendances drop and tv deals plummet , simultaneously the NRL goes from strength to strength.

 

[Harryflashman]

I find it absolutely insane that the IMG criteria is used to determine 12 super league clubs . However for the additional 2 teams they’re not using that system but an independent panel viewing the applications .

It feels relevant that Toulouse are 13th whilst Bradford are 16th .

 

[Root66]

Oldham and York must be in with a good chance?

 

[Bruce Wayne]

The problem with increasing the cap is that everyone is currently losing money and a lot of it , the clubs with wealthy Owners even a genuine billionaire are pushing for it though obviously .

Those at the bottom can’t compete presently so will be left even further behind . The changes to quota are likely just to see more overseas journeymen . A lad I know didn’t make it in super league 20 years ago and now thinks he’d very likely forge a decent albeit low paid career now so poor at many top flight squad members.

The sport desperately needs an overhaul, however the powers that be seem intent on tinkering at most . All the while attendances drop and tv deals plummet , simultaneously the NRL goes from strength to strength.

That's the problem though. For the last 20 years the tail has wagged the dog and the sport has been run for the interests of those scrabbling by at the bottom. The cap hasn't made the sport more competitive as nearly all league wins have been done by Leeds, Saints, or Wigan. All it's done is drive talent over to the NRL.