Dave T

Yup - even if they did say something, they didn't really have to go into that level of detail.

I think we get away with it somewhat because Wigan is a large ground and looks great for something like this, but the event in Penrith last year was poor and I don't find the same level of prestige at Saints when they have hosted it. Similarly, if the likes of Wire or Salford would have won the GF it wouldn't have been overly prestigious. I'd love to see us staging events like we did with Widnes v Canberra, 30k at OT, and even some of the games at Hudds, Bolton and Elland Road over the home ground games.

This really is where the game needs to be pushing this, not leaving the hosting to individual clubs. For major events we should be sharing the risk more, otherwise we will always just play at home grounds.

There is nothing about morals here. I understand why the RFL are doing it, maybe the critics need to understand too.

Not quite. A clear alternative is that the game isn't staged. But if you can make a change that you believe is right for 99%+ of games or for 0%, you'd be silly to choose the latter.

But that is ignoring the reasons why we are doing it. I'd rather we have a joined up worldwide approach, but it's clear the RFL and Aussie game are not in the same place. We can't ignore that. But ultimately, if the NRL are not going that way and the RFL feel they have to, then it has to be done.

Now we have quality coverage of every incident, this is absolutely the kind of thing we should be looking at.

Indeed - it's weird, and tbh a lot of it comes across as macho BS. Surely there are bigger things for players to focus on rather than this?

He doesn't really say anything too interesting. He wants consulting. His main gripe appears to be around the difference between the NRL and the UK game. So is his suggestion that we just have to fall in line with the NRL irrespective of what the RFL believe is right?

The more I think about this, the more I come to the conclusion that the players are being absolute A-holes. Let's be honest here - Watts is an absolute liability, ad as much as the mob at Cas have mastered the shocked face when he gets sent off (from the players to the coaching team) - it was a high tackle with the shoulder to the head. He will get whatever punishment he deserves. Same with McIlorum at Catalans. The Hull FC lad was an absolute idiot, and whilst the knee to the head one was more debateable, there was recklessness there, but it needs to play out at disciplinary. I do have some sympathy with any criticism of the Harry Smith incident, but if that is leading to talking about players going on strike then they are just showing themselves up to be honest. As was asked earlier, what exactly is it they are complaining about? "Not being consulted" is a lazy catch-all.

I must admit, the post you quoted did make me chuckle for the same reason.

Me neither mate, but if I'm honest, I think as the governing body, they have a responsibility to listen to the best experts and I don't think that means players. That isn't to be dismissive of them, I think instead of keep moaning about this stuff they should form a union and stick to it.

I expect any legal case would be based around whether processes were followed rather than whether Fozzard supported it back in the day.

spot on. Let's be honest, if Fozzard and Goulding had a voice when they played, they'd have been asking for it to be like the Wild West.

I do wonder whether there is a case for wholesale changes in our 'punishment' structure. Maybe move more like football - red card, say 2 match ban, yellows accumulate. We move on and avoid the drama. Or, maybe we accept that this is all part of the sporting soap opera.

That's cool, but that aint owt to do with Mark Wilson telling us clumsily what is happening in Castleford while we wait for another VR review in Catalans.

I've just watched it again in slow mo, and you see that the movement just prior to contact was MM rising, he is springing himself up into the player. I don't see any mitigation tbh. Agree on things settling, whether that is lowering or it becoming the new normal.

I think that's my view - the reason they ahve to be encouraged to bend their back/leg is because of the risk that a player may end up going lower as they are tackled by somebody else. That isn't some kind of unknown phenomenon. If a 6ft 3inch player stands tall and hits somebody in the head with his shoulder, then there is no mitigation imo. That absolutely has to be the starter.

Well, if anything was gonna unite the posters on this thread....

What is about to explode? Online betting has been a thing for years, and it has nothing to do with Sky. We don't have the NRL approach where they have huge betting sections in the build up.

That isn't relevant. THe updates are sporadic, delayed and sometimes muddled. These are not gambling updates.

To be fair, the Wigan v Cas game was originally going to be Saturday afternoon and Catalans v Wire in the evening. That felt quite a nice schedule (accepting that Friday's will be the day for overlaps if they are to stay). We really should avoid clashes outside of Fridays.

I must admit, despite more RL on TV than ever, I was disappointed that there were no games on Sunday

Yes (they did try red button for a week or two around 15-20 years ago). Last year, they moved all games to 8pm Friday, but only showed one. This weekend was a new way of broadcasting RL - it is fair to question whether what we used to do is still fit for purpose in the new model.

They did that for a spell, I enjoyed that element on a Friday - I think it was a challenge in RL because often there is too much happening to be able to do that without it being a distraction. I expect that's the reason that was canned.