Super League 2025

[Harryflashman]

. 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.

I couldn’t agree more with this .

The whole issue now is teams jealous of money heading to Perpignan, and in reality Spain , and terrified of a NRL take over demanding change and franchise .

The sport is crumbling and they think finding an away to chuck out Catalan and bringing Oldham into SL will sort it .

 

[widnesblue]

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 .

That IMG system is a joke to be fair.

Doncaster lost points because a couple of pixels on the score board were broken.

Widnes lost points because the press box was 18 inches to small.

What’s that gotta do with sport? Big issue why fans turn off too because clubs don’t get there on merit, they get there based on stuff made up instead of winning.

 

[Harryflashman]

Oldham and York must be in with a good chance?

I think so , I think one of them at least will get in . Given York have just signed Paul Vaughan they must think they’re getting the nod .

A lot of talk about Bradford and given the bloke running the show is the chairman fair to say a lot fancy them .

London seem to think they deserve a go and much as I enjoy a day out if they’re getting in I can’t see how Toulouse don’t .

 

[Harryflashman]

That IMG system is a joke to be fair.

Doncaster lost points because a couple of pixels on the score board were broken.

Widnes lost points because the press box was 18 inches to small.

What’s that gotta do with sport? Big issue why fans turn off too because clubs don’t get there on merit, they get there based on stuff made up instead of winning.

Oh look I’m not defending img but you can’t introduce a system , structure your league on it whilst a few weeks ago claim the grading is how any changes will be implemented . Then suddenly say the next to in have a different criteria because we don’t want the next two on the img list. It’s a joke .

The system on so many levels felt arbitrary and all over the place . Img overall is an interesting one because when they first started they were butting adverts on trains and stations in Liverpool trying to sell the game and certainly raise awareness. I thought these might have a few ideas here then the malaise of RL infected them and they just didn’t seem interested .

 

[widnesblue]

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.

If he didn’t make it 20 years ago, 100% he would now. May I ask why he didn’t make it? Was he not good enough for the time or was there other reasons behind it? I only ask because at Widnes, we had loads of great players who never made it for reasons that were stupid. Frank Endacott was our coach at the time and wouldn’t give lads a chance because he was bringing in his players, who he was an agent for who were playing in the second division of a New Zealand league.

Loads of lads have been screwed over by not given the opportunity. Rather give a player who’s signed from the NRL feeder system than local kids a go.

My mate signed for Saints this season from Salford. Good player, great lad, got his dream come true but being honest, he wouldn’t have played championship level 20 years ago never mind super league now. It’s harsh to say that, because he’s a good player and an even better person but sadly, shows the standard. Hope he continues living his dream and has a great career at Saints because he deserves it.

 

[widnesblue]

Oh look I’m not defending img but you can’t introduce a system , structure your league on it whilst a few weeks ago claim the grading is how any changes will be implemented . Then suddenly say the next to in have a different criteria because we don’t want the next two on the img list. It’s a joke .

The system on so many levels felt arbitrary and all over the place . Img overall is an interesting one because when they first started they were butting adverts on trains and stations in Liverpool trying to sell the game and certainly raise awareness. I thought these might have a few ideas here then the malaise of RL infected them and they just didn’t seem interested .

That’s rugby league for you. They’ll always change the goalposts to get what they want.

They’ve probably found out how the RFL work and lost hope and motivation to do there best. They’ve probably found it an impossible task to do what they set out because the RFL put blocks in there way.

 

[Harryflashman]

If he didn’t make it 20 years ago, 100% he would now. May I ask why he didn’t make it? Was he not good enough for the time or was there other reasons behind it? I only ask because at Widnes, we had loads of great players who never made it for reasons that were stupid. Frank Endacott was our coach at the time and wouldn’t give lads a chance because he was bringing in his players, who he was an agent for who were playing in the second division of a New Zealand league.

Loads of lads have been screwed over by not given the opportunity. Rather give a player who’s signed from the NRL feeder system than local kids a go.

My mate signed for Saints this season from Salford. Good player, great lad, got his dream come true but being honest, he wouldn’t have played championship level 20 years ago never mind super league now. It’s harsh to say that, because he’s a good player and an even better person but sadly, shows the standard. Hope he continues living his dream and has a great career at Saints because he deserves it.

That’s what I mean really about my mate , he wasn’t at the level of many around him although he did ok . Now he thinks , and I probably agree that he’d have achieved more . Not in a “it’s not fair way “ just a general observation.


I obviously know who your mate is , he loved scoring for saints you could see how much it meant to him .

Pass on my regards and tell him hope he’s back soon .

 

[Root66]

Need Oldham back in for the horrible mascot that used to run on the pitch.

A brick [Poor language removed] house is a horror film bear outfit. Was genuinely terrifying

 

[Root66]

Stuff of nightmares.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

What a shambles. Sky has come out against the new proposals, and now Sport England is voicing their concerns. I can see a breakaway league forming at this rate with the NRL involved.

 

[9LeagueTitles5FACups]

What a shambles. Sky has come out against the new proposals, and now Sport England is voicing their concerns. I can see a breakaway league forming at this rate with the NRL involved.

How likely a prospect is a breakaway league? After all, nine of the twelve Super League clubs voted in favour of the fourteen team proposal, so it is clearly a favourable option across the boardrooms of those Super League clubs. The only thing which would be worth asking is whether a breakaway league would represent a more attractive prospect? Changes in structure appear to be quite divisive across the sport, yet individual clubs will act in their own best interests.