Dave T

Another example of random bragging here sorry Bob!!!!

Does test cricket not get decent crowds? Some test matches I see can get around a hundred thousand for the match.

I think he focuses a touch too much on the on-field stuff for my liking, but he does highlight that his area will be focusing on commercials, media rights and marketing. I liked what he said about a more youthful market, maybe that is why we have Blossoms playing the Grand Final instead of middle-aged indie bands of recent years. Interested to see what happens.

The one that made me chuckle was when they overstated the structure point (imho a slight tweaking of numbers isn't a new system), but then when asked about future structures Elstone couldn't guarantee that we will keep this newly agreed structure - so basically the thing he is critical of (constant change), and the thing that isn't a solution to the game's ills (structure) may be changed, but that is different when he is in charge instead of the others for the last 20 years.

Haven't watched Backchat yet, but did watch him and Elstone on Golden Point. It was ok, but as you say there is never anything in the answer. They did clarify a few governance points, but when it comes to future plans, just talking about innovation, enthusiasm and a more youthful market is all a bit hollow. It will be interesting to hear from them next Feb as we lead into a new season. It will be good to see what changes.

i find the people who are fans of RL use crowd numbers more to beat the game

I think that this shows that it isn't all about money, and it is more about what they feel is the right area to invest in. I'm not convinced parachute payments are the way to go by the way, I'd rather have a player fund which can help those who lose jobs.

Sorry, not a sport! Cricket attracts good crowds for other forms of the sport.

I'm not sure I'd agree with some of your criticisms of the event. To address the specifics: - The event hasn't grown - whilst I think there is far more we can do (use fresh grounds that excite people, live bands, create a festival buzz) - the event has grown, even if it is modest. Last year was 15% higher than year 1. The last 4 years in Newcastle have an average that is 10% higher than the previous 8 years. - Revenue being down - not sure this would be the case, although difficult to quantify. This round has a title sponsor, contributes to the value of the TV deal, and all customers are paying. I don't think Super League would necessarily have 65k paying speccies in a regular round. - New audience - I disagree, it has taken the game to Cardiff, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Manchester - I'd rather we rotated it more and took it to more places, but we have seen good things in Newcastle on the back of it, and Scotland had a far more engaged RL community when Magic was in Edinburgh. I still know a few people at work whose only exposure to RL was Magic at Murrayfield.

I am aware that some of the Super League clubs are doing good things in this regard. Maybe the RFL should publish a league table of club investment in youth so that we can all see who are the real contributors in this important area.

I don't generally have a bad temper or suffer from anger, so I can usually shake my head and roll my eyes at the douchebags. But, I do always hope that when they walk round the corner they suffer a really horrible, horrific, gruesome, slow death. I find that helps. See, no anger at all.

I think the technology is amazing. We have a newspaper, encyclopedia, phone, dictionary, history books, maps, calculators, camera, television, radio etc in our hands. All of these are accepted as positive things that enrich our lives, not sure why they would be frowned upon being used more and more. This criticism does come across as fussy duddy snobbery. But... as with all good things they can be addictive and be a problem. My wife and I have had to make a conscious effort recently to put our phones to one side in the evening to ensure we give our daughter attention and the same for each other. But tbh, my parents would just be the same with tv, radio, newspaper etc.

The main objective of Toronto Wolfpack was to have a nice kit, get a sponsorship deal with an airline and have a hotdog gun. They have achieved all three. I will keep repeating the above until it is accepted as truth.

I didn't say it was.

I don;t think they will make it tbh Scubby. They are not exactly romping it at the moment.

This is genuinely one of my favourite lines I have read on this forum, ever.

I think it is a red herring to debate whether TWP are financially stable, that isn't what success looks like 18 months in.

It does look like a fair few hit that mark. 1950/51 - Leeds v Barrow (57k) - Wire v Wigan (44k) 1952/53 - Hudds v Wigan (58k) 10 years later: 1960/61 - Saints v Hull (42k) 1962/63 - huge drop to 15k and 21k 10 years later: 1970/71 - 24k and 20k 1972/73 - 14k and 15k 10 years later: 1980/81 - 12k and 17k 1982/83 - 10k and 26k 10 years later: 1990/91 - 19k and 16k 1992/93 - 14k and 20k 10 years later: 2000 - 18k and 12k 2003 - 19k and 15k 10 years later: 2010 - 15k and 12k 2013 - 6k and 10k The 50's and 60's was a lifetime ago.

I don;'t get it, weren;t we told not to play that Test match in June and that internationals should be staged at the end of the year?

This was ultimately my biggest issue with Wood, and having a finance guy in charge overall. I think they can make a decent 2nd in command, but a visionary in charge would provide a better balance. The constant focus on ROI was a problem, particularly when things got a bit tighter.

Thanks John, I couldn't be bothered. It seems enjoying something and having fun is frowned on more than ever in the RL world.

I realised that on its own that my point doesn't read right. I meant the kickers. They should get a minute, but if it has gone to the VR it should be half that, as they can have the ball lined up. At the moment we can see 2 or 3 minutes with the VR, the try being awarded and then a kicker using up another minute and a half or so. Agree that we shouldn't limit the time for VR's, there is a process to go through.

Blinkin' eck, I see we've written this interview off before it's even been aired!!!

If we go to the video ref they should only get 30 secs. Some of the actions of the players and coaches really do need to be questioned. They are the first to moan about the authorities, but most of the negative tactics come from them.

Like who?