31 replies to this topic

[rlno1]

By playing 4 quarters of 20 minutes rather than two halves of 40 in the earlier rounds of the Challenge Cup, would this make games againt Super League teams more competitive as the lower sides could regroup at each break rather than get steam rolled as the fatigue sets in late in each half.

4 quarters use to be played in the Australian cup competition in the 70's and 80's and did help level things out as the weaker team could stick with the stronger side over the 80 minutes.

Edited by rlno1, 18 March 2013 - 10:12 AM.

[markleeds]

Sounds like a good idea, would also mean extra tv ad slots for Sky

[roughyed8]

Apply the same rules on overseas players, only one against championship teams none against Ch 1 teams.

[Amber Avenger]

By playing 4 quarters of 20 minutes rather than two halves of 40 in the earlier rounds of the Challenge Cup, would this make games againt Super League teams more competitive as the lower sides could regroup at each break rather than get steam rolled as the fatigue sets in late in each half.

4 quarters use to be played in the Australian cup competition in the 70's and 80's and did help level things out as the weaker team could stick with the stronger side over the 80 minutes.

Of course by that logic, the Super League side will also be returning to the pitch more refreshed as well...

[hindle xiii]

Of course by that logic, the Super League side will also be returning to the pitch more refreshed as well...

Yeah that was my first thought too.

[Ponterover]

Of course by that logic, the Super League side will also be returning to the pitch more refreshed as well...

Make the SL players jog round the field for 10 mins, doing 20 press ups in each corner.

Can't see that the idea would have much impact, although I do agree with the suggestion re overseas players

[chuffer]

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Edited by chuffer, 18 March 2013 - 01:44 PM.

[Bulliac]

Make the SL players jog round the field for 10 mins, doing 20 press ups in each corner.

Can't see that the idea would have much impact, although I do agree with the suggestion re overseas players

Wouldn't pulling some of the big name players out spoil the game for a lot of fans though? After all if you follow a championship side, a cup match is the only place you're going to see some of these stars and you want to see your team against the top teams not some slimmed down version.

[hindle xiii]

A lot of the time it's the overseas players who enthuse about the Cup the most.

Back home I used to stay up when I was a kid and watch the Cup final on tv.

And so on.

[jpmc]

Once we've all got used to watching 4 quarters we can then introduce big shoulder pads and crash helmets.
Rugby league,always the innovator

[deluded pom?]

A lot of the time it's the overseas players who enthuse about the Cup the most.

Back home I used to stay up when I was a kid and watch the Cup final on tv.

And so on.

Do the Aussies even take the Challenge Cup final live now?

[deluded pom?]

Wouldn't pulling some of the big name players out spoil the game for a lot of fans though? After all if you follow a championship side, a cup match is the only place you're going to see some of these stars and you want to see your team against the top teams not some slimmed down version.

Or you just might fancy your team's chances of an upset. Why should two teams drawn against each other be subject to different quota rules?

[hindle xiii]

Do the Aussies even take the Challenge Cup final live now?

No idea. But I mean players now and of yesteryear, so 10-20 years ago as kids.

[Just to be clear]

Or you just might fancy your team's chances of an upset. Why should two teams drawn against each other be subject to different quota rules?

Just to be clear, should the Super League club only pick players that together would be able to fit under a Championship salary cap? And should Championship clubs be forced to only pick players willing to play for free when they face amateur sides?

[Dave T]

It's a tough one, but I would support making some changes to freshen it up. The problem, as with all of these things is that you need to think of the consequences of any decision you make:

a) Limit overseas players to 1 - as has been mentioned, fans get robbed of seeing potential star players.

Give the lower division team home advantage - I like this idea, but it could affect teams financially. It may be better for somebody like Keighley to get drawn at Wigan than at home. Even though the crowd at Wigan would be low, they may end up better off financially as it would be higher than at Keighley.

c) Have a certain percentage of the 17 under 24 for early rounds - this could help, again it could mean robbing fans of the chance of seeing star players and drag the crowd down.

I'm not against doing something with the rules for the Challenge Cup - Cricket does it, maybe we should explore it?

[deluded pom?]

Just to be clear, should the Super League club only pick players that together would be able to fit under a Championship salary cap? And should Championship clubs be forced to only pick players willing to play for free when they face amateur sides?

Just to be clear. Confound you.

[Marauder]

Lets play the games in 8 x 10 minute slots FFS, rugby league is and always has been a game of attriction, while we are at it lets handicap teams as well.

[Lobbygobbler]

It's a tough one, but I would support making some changes to freshen it up. The problem, as with all of these things is that you need to think of the consequences of any decision you make:

a) Limit overseas players to 1 - as has been mentioned, fans get robbed of seeing potential star players.

Give the lower division team home advantage - I like this idea, but it could affect teams financially. It may be better for somebody like Keighley to get drawn at Wigan than at home. Even though the crowd at Wigan would be low, they may end up better off financially as it would be higher than at Keighley.

c) Have a certain percentage of the 17 under 24 for early rounds - this could help, again it could mean robbing fans of the chance of seeing star players and drag the crowd down.

I'm not against doing something with the rules for the Challenge Cup - Cricket does it, maybe we should explore it?

Do both, i.e.
1/ Lowest tier team at home
2/ Same overseas rules apply to both clubs (i.e. 1 for a SL v Co-Op Champ clash)

Most overseas players here are not real stars anyway so it would be no real crowd turnoff. At least the biggest star can play for the SL clubs. Fans would turnout in far greater numbers for a close game. Also it forces SL clubs to play youth.

Should SL clubs make the final as expected then they could play the strongest squads. The other great thing about the overseas rule, would be that a top SL side wanting to win the CCup might be more inclined to go fully homegrown should shocks against coop clubs happen regularly

[Gav Wilson]

Do both, i.e.
1/ Lowest tier team at home
2/ Same overseas rules apply to both clubs (i.e. 1 for a SL v Co-Op Champ clash)

Its SL v Kingstone Press Champ clash...

[Wellsy4HullFC]

It's a fair suggestion. Would allow semi pro players to catch their breath a bit (SL players would be a lot fitter anyway so shouldn't make "as big" a difference to their fitness to have rest). It would also allow for more ad slots, making it more valuable to the other terrestrial channels.

In terms of keeping the competition (and sport) as pure as possible though, I'd say no. Stick to the norm.