phiggins

https://x.com/RugbyLeagueLiv2/status/1790407563621626203

Should've offered C4 the rights to show cup games

I'm not sure there's much of a decision to make. The 2024 final will be at Old Trafford, and SL will need to speak to Man Utd about what, if anything, will be done to the stadium in time for the 2025 final. If no works are planned, or if renovation is happening then the Grand Final will have to be moved for a year at least. If that is the case, the Etihad would have to be first choice. In the absence of a big enough stadium in West Yorkshire, then Manchester remains the most viable location for a final that is determined only a week in advance.

The channel 4 coverage was great, the only issue was there wasn't enough games on C4 to allow them to be regular enough to generate some momentum in a given timeslot. But we seem to have taken multiple steps back with the current BBC setup. Hidden away on BBC3 (I didn't realise that had been resurrected until recently!), poor coverage and quite random timeslot for each game.

The second question is easy to answer, he isn't only chirping up now. He's expressed some concerns with the system some time ago. On the first point, yes he voted in favour of the concept. It was likely a vote for change from automatic P&R to an increased focus on standards. That doesn't mean that he should feel bound to agree with every detail of the system. From what I recall, the recommendation was to have a scoring system, based on the pillars. But not sure the details such as the banding ranges, bonus points, performance score calculations were clear at the time. The indicative scores then highlighted further some issues with the system, and a low bar that led to more than expected A grades being awarded. Including one to a club that had finished 8th, 9th, and 10th during the period measured and who's owner had expressed some financial concerns. I think you should be allowed to disagree with elements of something that you voted for. Or indeed against. Would people take issue if Keighley decided they liked the system now?

Yep, appreciate there's a chance I've missed something. I'm going off the vote on the mid to high level detail last April https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/apr/19/clubs-vote-to-end-automatic-rugby-super-league-promotion-and-relegation Then the publishing of the full handbook in July https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/img-grading-criteria-rugby-league-27256425 I can't see anything on a vote of the actual handbook, but as I say, could have missed it. I do vaguely recall some talk of tweaks being made after RFL council meetings in December, but nothing seemed to come from that.

Just looking up the timeline of events, it looks like clubs voted for the concept of grading in April, but the actual grading system was only published in July. I think it’s fair to review a vote when the detail becomes apparent

But the reply to Beaumont’s tweet that you referenced was sheer whatabouttery, and not even accurate. Beaumont has stated a preference for P&R with a minimum standard since the start of the season. I agree with that preference myself (and I probably disagree with stuff he comes out with more often than not)

There’s a lot to unpick in that reply, because it’s not a particularly accurate reflection. There was a requirement to have license applications in 2021 because Super League wanted to replace Toronto and there had not been a 2020 Championship season to determine who that club would be. Had the 2020 Championship season completed, then the winners would’ve been promoted. Players were only released in 2017, after contracts were voided after relegation. There was an exodus in 2018 after the club restructured, which led to settlements needing to be reached with two players, and those settlements were reached. The only tribunal action that found against the club was two or three players (I can’t remember the exact number) took action against the club to question the legitimacy's of fines that they were given during the 2017 season. All begs the question, what do these events 6 and 7 years ago have to do with London, Hull and IMG?

Ed Chamberlain played in the very next game after being recalled, so there’s a good chance you’re putting 2 and 2 together and getting 5 there.

But they’re going to have no choice but to move the final at some point

I think the last 15 mins was a case of not really having much energy left. When moylan broke from Leutele’s offload, nobody was really pushing to support, and there were one or two cramping up at the end. Probably why we don’t win games that are still in the balance in the last quarter

He didn’t play full back at the back end of last year. In fact he didn’t play at all back end of last year, he broke his hand. Hardaker was given the number 1 shirt, but O’Brien was first choice after only a couple of games. As for your last sentence. Suspect it’s a question of whether Lam becomes the coach now, or next season

When was the last time he played regularly at full back? Thought he played at centre at both Leeds and Wigan before signing for Leigh? He doesn't have the pace that he had in 2017 at Cas, his passing game isn't at the level that you'd expect from most full backs now, who mainly act as extra halves. And while his positioning after a break is still there on the occaisions he fills in at fb for Leigh, he's not actually making the tackles anyway.

When he plays well, he is a good defensive centre. Played a big role in both the cup semi final and final last season. And had decent games defensively against Warrington and Cas recently. But those decent games are becoming rarer, and the sight of him on the floor after being trampled over by Tex Hoy was a pretty sad one. Looked like one of the player's dads had come on for a game. On top of that, I don't think the pairing of him and Briscoe as a centre / wing partnership ever really worked. Most, if not all of Briscoe's tries were assisted by O'Brien, and when the play did go through Hardaker, the pass to Briscoe ended up in touch. And they never really defended kicks very well either