73 replies to this topic

[no13benny]

Tuesday 26th October 10

The Engage Super League XVI season looks set to open with a real bang in Cardiff with the 2011 Millennium Magic weekend (February 12th & 13th) featuring a repeat of last season’s Grand Final.

The 2010 Engage Super League champions, Wigan Warriors, take on St Helens under the Millennium Stadium roof on Saturday evening (7pm). Local rivalries will also come to the fore with Hull FC versus Hull Kingston Rovers, Castleford Tigers against Wakefield Trinity Wildcats and Leeds Rhinos locking horns against Bradford Bulls also forming part of a mouthwatering schedule of games.

There is also a repeat of the 2009 Carnegie Challenge Cup final as Huddersfield Giants take on Warrington Wolves. Catalans Dragons versus Harlequins RL and Salford City Reds against Crusaders complete the weekend programme of match ups with four games scheduled for the Saturday and three on Sunday.

Saturday 12th February

1pm Huddersfield Giants v Warrington Wolves

3pm Catalans Dragons v Harlequins RL

5pm Castleford Tigers v Wakefield Trinity Wildcats

7pm Wigan Warriors v St Helens

Sunday 13th February

12noon Salford City Reds v Crusaders

2pm Leeds Rhinos v Bradford Bulls

4pm Hull FC v Hull KR

RFL Chief Executive Nigel Wood commented: “This opening round of fixtures represents an outstanding way of kicking off the 2011 season in style. The overwhelming majority of fans told us that they wanted to see local rivalry matches and I’m sure thousands of loyal Rugby League supporters will be excited by the prospect of watching seven superb encounters in Cardiff at the start of next season.

“All of the clubs will have the chance to lay down a marker for the season ahead, particularly St Helens who will be desperate to put one over Wigan after their defeat to the Warriors at Old Trafford in October, but there will also be a lot of local pride at stake with a number of the other clashes.”

With the Millennium Magic Weekend returning to Cardiff for the first time since 2008, Millennium Stadium Manager Gerry Toms is looking forward to welcoming Rugby League back to the national stadium.
“We are delighted that Rugby League is returning to the Millennium Stadium for what we are certain will be a fantastic weekend of top class action,” said Toms.

“Supporters who come to the Stadium will see some of the world’s best Rugby League players and it will certainly prove to be a great showcase for the sport.

“The supporters who follow Engage Super League are also great ambassadors for the game and we look forward to giving them all a great Welsh welcome at the home of rugby union in Wales.

“The Millennium Stadium is ideally suited to this type of extended event with its closing roof and city centre location so I am certain that the fans and the players will all savour a fantastic sporting experience.

“As we demonstrated at the inaugural event in 2007 and again in 2008, the fans always have a great time at the Millennium Stadium and I’d urge all sports fans to get hold of tickets to this unique and exciting weekend at the home of Welsh sport.”
Welsh Assembly Government Heritage Minister, Alun Ffred Jones, added: "We are delighted to welcome Millennium Magic back to Wales again in 2011 and to support the event through our Major Events Strategy, which aims to develop a sustainable portfolio of world class events which will raise international recognition and reputation of Wales. We look forward to giving all fans a warm Welsh welcome next year and hope they enjoy being back at the Millennium Stadium."

Day Tickets for Millennium Magic cost from £20 (concessions £10) with weekend passes starting from £30 (concessions £15). Ticket and accommodation details for Millennium Magic are available at www.millenniummagic.co.uk or by contacting the RFL Ticket Office on 0844 856 1113.

The 2011 Millennium Magic weekend will be exclusively live and in high definition on Sky Sports HD.

Unleashed

Nice to see they've used my 'sandwich' idea of having well supported games either side of Catalans v Quins.

Also they've bigged up the rematch ideas with the Cup final & Grand Final repeats

Edited by no13benny, 26 October 2010 - 11:29 AM.

[Mumby Magic]

100% happy with that. Wanted to play Leeds as I think for this that derbies should be priority to help build attendance, then I get to see my first ever Hull derby which I've had on my to do list for a while now and then enough time to get back to me digs for some food and relaxation and a few bevvies.

[Futtocks]

That fixture selection and schedule seems peculiarly well thought out.

[Red Willow]

It clashes with the Manchester derby game so no fans there for Solly V Cru

[Wendall]

Not happy as a wire fan we have to get down for 1pm start. A big support from wire will be reduced as a result I fink, wont be goin this time due to the date but now I deffo wont go!
Be a flop I feel overall.

[no13benny]

Not happy as a wire fan we have to get down for 1pm start. A big support from wire will be reduced as a result I fink, wont be goin this time due to the date but now I deffo wont go!
Be a flop I feel overall.

Oh no, have you only got 3 months to work it out?

[terrywebbisgod]

Not happy as a wire fan we have to get down for 1pm start. A big support from wire will be reduced as a result I fink, wont be goin this time due to the date but now I deffo wont go!
Be a flop I feel overall.

It has to happen to someone,this time it's Warrington,or do you expect top billing?
Should we contact the RFL and tell them to cancel it all because your'e not going?

Edited by terrywebbisgod, 26 October 2010 - 12:18 PM.

[Millman]

Not happy as a wire fan we have to get down for 1pm start. A big support from wire will be reduced as a result I fink, wont be goin this time due to the date but now I deffo wont go!
Be a flop I feel overall.

Empty vessels make most noise.

[Wellsy4HullFC]

It clashes with the Manchester derby game so no fans there for Solly V Cru

I think the Welsh would hopefully turn out well for the Cru game personally. Especially on the back of Wales getting into the 4 Nations.

[Dave T]

It has to happen to someone,this time it's Warrington,or do you expect top billing?
Should we contact the RFL and tell them to cancel it all because your'e not going?

Actually, I do feel that Warrington deserve much higher billing than this (and Hudds for that matter).

Warrington are the Cup holders two years running and finished 3rd in the table this year. We as a club have also consistently supported these events, with some impressive turnouts by the fans.

What exactly have Wakefield and Cas done to earn a higher billing?

Fair enough they have probably gone with the Wire game first to try and get some decent noise in there from the start, but it just looks the most uninspiring lineup I have seen, and is almost a carbon copy of the last Magic weekend in Cardiff. All that generally happens is the Wire fans will leave and go to the pub, whereas by having them after a couple of games, you get a steady stream heading in throughout the afternoon and keep them in the ground for longer.

Personally, I'd have liked Wire v Crusaders (local derby) as the 2nd to last game on Saturday, but appreciate that's just my opinion.

[Mumby Magic]

What's this top billing ######? I'd rather play earlier to be honest, but who's particularly bothered so long as we get the two points?

And Wendall could you not travel down the night before and make a w/end of it?

[no13benny]

Actually, I do feel that Warrington deserve much higher billing than this (and Hudds for that matter).

Warrington are the Cup holders two years running and finished 3rd in the table this year. We as a club have also consistently supported these events, with some impressive turnouts by the fans.

What exactly have Wakefield and Cas done to earn a higher billing?

Fair enough they have probably gone with the Wire game first to try and get some decent noise in there from the start, but it just looks the most uninspiring lineup I have seen, and is almost a carbon copy of the last Magic weekend in Cardiff. All that generally happens is the Wire fans will leave and go to the pub, whereas by having them after a couple of games, you get a steady stream heading in throughout the afternoon and keep them in the ground for longer.

Personally, I'd have liked Wire v Crusaders (local derby) as the 2nd to last game on Saturday, but appreciate that's just my opinion.

Who says opening the event isn't a high billing?! These things are what you make of them, if you don't turn up, then yes, you are bottom billing. If both sides sell out, then it's a massive occasion to open the event.

When was the last time the Olympics had an opening ceremony featuring only the 'lesser' nations because the 'bigger' nations felt they should be higher billing?

Oh go to the pub then. If you don't want to be in there, I'd rather not have you sat next to me.

[Celt]

I think the Welsh would hopefully turn out well for the Cru game personally. Especially on the back of Wales getting into the 4 Nations.

I don't. it might drag another couple of hundred people along, but i really don't think it has had much of an effect. Suspect the stadium will be empty for that game unfortunately.

[Exiled Wiganer]

Isn't actually tribute to Wire's pulling power that they are on first, as opposed to the slow build up which hasn't really worked. Wire's fans as a body have been marvellous ambassadors for the game, travelling in noisy good natured numbers to France, London and Barcelona. In a way their going first is a problem brought upon themselves by being such good travellers. I am looking forward to Wigan getting closer to Saints than the infamous "you're not fit to wear the shirt" game.

[Dave T]

If there is no billing, why are Wigan and Saints playing last again, as are Leeds and Bradford?

Anybody who doesn't believe that the opening game is a lower billing than most others is burying their head in the sand. I agree with EW that Wire have been hand-picked for that game due to the numbers that follow, but it is basically the graveyard shift and ruins the experience for many, especially when you then have two games after us with four lower placed teams.

With all dues respect to Quins and Catalans, these two clubs are probably going to bring the smallest numbers of fans, so why wouldn't you put them on first?

Warrington played Hudds first game last time at Cardiff, and basically people are still checking into hotels or stuck on the M6 heading down to Cardiff at lunch time.

Part of the attraction of this weekend is being in the ground for the build up to the games, with the atmosphere kicking in. It is hardly a reward for the many Wire fans that would travel. I know somebody has to do it, but let's look to pee off as few fans as possible.

Those who know me know that I am not usually negative about much when it comes to RL, but I am just baffled that they have gone with the same fixtures as last time at Cardiff. The crowds were poor then too, yet the way people bang on about these beloved derbies (that they don't support anyway) it is going to fix the concept and fill the ground.

[Dave T]

Who says opening the event isn't a high billing?! These things are what you make of them, if you don't turn up, then yes, you are bottom billing. If both sides sell out, then it's a massive occasion to open the event.

When was the last time the Olympics had an opening ceremony featuring only the 'lesser' nations because the 'bigger' nations felt they should be higher billing?

Oh go to the pub then. If you don't want to be in there, I'd rather not have you sat next to me.

Opening the event isn't a high billing. We did it three years ago, it was dire.

I have turned up at all 4 of these events, and no matter how many Wire and Hudds sell, there will still be very few neutrals in the ground creating that festival atmosphere as it is still early and people are waiting to check into ther hotels. I usually enjoy staying in the ground for almost all of the games too.

Why also, do Wire and Hudds not get a local derby?

Edited by Dave T, 26 October 2010 - 02:59 PM.

[terrywebbisgod]

If there is no billing, why are Wigan and Saints playing last again, as are Leeds and Bradford?

Anybody who doesn't believe that the opening game is a lower billing than most others is burying their head in the sand. I agree with EW that Wire have been hand-picked for that game due to the numbers that follow, but it is basically the graveyard shift and ruins the experience for many, especially when you then have two games after us with four lower placed teams.

With all dues respect to Quins and Catalans, these two clubs are probably going to bring the smallest numbers of fans, so why wouldn't you put them on first?

Warrington played Hudds first game last time at Cardiff, and basically people are still checking into hotels or stuck on the M6 heading down to Cardiff at lunch time.

Part of the attraction of this weekend is being in the ground for the build up to the games, with the atmosphere kicking in. It is hardly a reward for the many Wire fans that would travel. I know somebody has to do it, but let's look to pee off as few fans as possible.

Those who know me know that I am not usually negative about much when it comes to RL, but I am just baffled that they have gone with the same fixtures as last time at Cardiff. The crowds were poor then too, yet the way people bang on about these beloved derbies (that they don't support anyway) it is going to fix the concept and fill the ground.

Leeds and Bradford aren't last,that's Hull-Hull KR.
The RFL need to make this event look good on tv,so need to have decent sized crowds in the stadium,they are going to have more if Warrington are on first rather than Quins or Dragons.

[Dave T]

Leeds and Bradford aren't last,that's Hull-Hull KR.
The RFL need to make this event look good on tv,so need to have decent sized crowds in the stadium,they are going to have more if Warrington are on first rather than Quins or Dragons.

Apologies, I only skimmed over it.

I can understand why they have done it, however it didn't work last time. By getting a couple of thousand Wire fans in at lunch, you then lose them earlier, whereas by having it in the build up to the Wigan v Saints game, you would undoubtedly have had a greater amount of fans staying around for that final game.

I suspect there will be very few Wire and Hudds fans left for the Saints v Wigan game which would ordinarily have been very attractive to them, certainly the Wire fans.

Personally, and I know that I am in the minority on this one, but I just don't get the way that certain clubs are automatcially gifted 'protected' derbies. Is it right that Bradford automatically get a big game, when they have been way off this year.

I am not against hand-picking games, but I think there needs to be an element of seeding too. The Hull derby is a natural fit. Warrington v Wigan have delivered two of the best games of the season, yet we get shoved out of the way at 1pm when the ground will be at its emptiest.

Wouldn't Saints v Leeds, Wire v Wigan and Bulls v Hudds have been more attractive games?

Sure I am being selfish and looking at it from my own club's perspective, but then so did all those people who banged on for the last few years who believe that the Wigan v Saints or Leeds v Bradford derbies are the ######.

Anyway, rant over on this one, no doubt I'll make the effort, but I couldn't be less excited by this if I tried.

[MrFussy]

There's no doubt that a top billing is in place here. It's not really surprising that Hull vs Hull KR is topping it on Sunday night, especially after Bradford's poor season this time round. That's not to say they won't bounce back strongly next year and I'm sure it will be a cracking game with Leeds, but based on this year's evidence its easy to see why the Hull derby could be considered to be the main event. I agree that the Warrington vs Huddersfield game should have been later in the day, ideally played before the Saints vs Wigan match. Warrington have won the cup two years running, Huddersfield have been in two cup finals in the last five years, and both teams performed well in the league this year and competed in an intense game in the play offs

I understand the logic in trying to get the Warrington and Huddersfield supporters in first to boost the crowds for the next two games but if I'm not mistaken then can't you leave and return to the stadium anyway? If so then that logic could well backfire (I'm not 100% sure whether you can because we've always stayed for every game).

Still overall I'm just glad the event is back in Cardiff. Being fairly local its nice to be given a rare opportunity to watch all of the sides play live and gives me a chance to try and introduce my union loving friends to the sport. I am unsure on the idea of it opening the season though, it'll be good to kick off the year with a bang but the weather and bank holiday in May is much better suited to the atmosphere they created in the city centre last time it was here.

[Padge]

Who plays when will have been done in consultation with Sky