RayCee

Or get the highlights only:

I thought that RU didn't want working class people playing their sport. The wealthier types didn't need to be paid any compensation for playing RU so by insisting on no broken time payments, it became the sport for the more affluent and Football the working class game. In the North of England they weren't going to put up with not being able to play Rugby so they formed a breakaway Northern Rugby so that broken time could be paid. I could be wrong but I'm sure I've read that explanation somewhere.

I have no idea how he stayed on the field either. I noticed his head tackle too. He's clearly frustrated and venting it wrongly. He looks overweight and out of condition. In the post match interview I got the impression from Cam Murray that Latrell's left to self-criticise rather than be taken to task. It seems that South's culture has become undisciplined and it is affecting the team's on-field performance.

Close but home advantage should do it. Sam seems to be doing OK so far in coaching.

Going with the home side.

I was in a medical waiting room in NZ and I spotted a sign ostensibly about nurses. I realised it was a subliminal message from a Wire fan using an innocent poster to get his message across. What an unusual place to spot RL, albeit done surreptitiously.

The Chch public are sports lovers. They would come out to watch their own NRL team.

I thought about how the Sharks received that generous donation, it’s a shame he wasn't from Salford. That would be a huge help to them in their situation. Is Sir James Ratcliffe by any chance from the Salford area? PS. Not picking on Salford but a windfall would be nice for them.

Abdul's not popular with many Catalan fans at a French forum I visit.

The Warriors carried all travel cost for some years after they joined the NRL. For a new club finding it’s feet it was a burden they didn’t need. Although the Catalans are now well established and in a better position to absorb the extra cost than the Warriors were, it still seems unfair. The Catalans already have to pay for all their trips to the UK yet a visiting club only has to stump up once a year in return. It reflects an attitude that you need us more than we need you and we'll use that stronger position to our advantage, knowing you have no choice but to accept.

Vegas will give the code some profile which when built up sufficiently will allow the possibility of a US comp. I'd like to see this work but don't think it will. It's too early.

In a tight game where a ref's decision effectively decides the outcome there will be controversy. Had Penrith converted its territorial advantage into points it would have won in a canter. Ivan Cleary cannot control the conditions, the refereeing etc but his team can execute better than that. His focus will be on what his team could have done better. That's why he is a successful coach.

Where would IMG fit into the arrangement if it took place?

I thought 3,600 was a target the Broncos could aim for this year so a good start. My fear is if they continue to perform poorly, the numbers could fall off drastically from that good start.

I thought it looked OK until I referred to the previous year. Last season's average was 10,900 so not a good outlook for 2024 as the attendance for the first game is usually above the season average.

In London's last year in SL (2019), they averaged 2,100. Over the last couple of years in the Championship it was in the 1,000 to 1,100 region. The team they have replaced in SL (Wakefield) averaged 4,300 in 2023 but over a full season that would be unlikely for London. I would think 3,600 would be a decent goal (70% up in their last SL season).

Thanks Bod. There was a post that talked about tickets sold and actual attendees which left me wondering which figure is counted. So switching from attendees to tickets sold is as below but still not balanced. Oh well. We will wait and see. List Total 76,824 Hull FC 20,014 Leeds 15,126 St Helens 14,058 Castleford 10,170 Catalans 8,876 Leigh 8,580 Correction -125 Corr Total 76,699

I took all the attendances figures listed on this thread and added them up. It doesn't quite tally with the official total. List Total 76,530 Hull FC 20,014 Leeds 15,126 St Helens 13,764 Castleford 10,170 Catalans 8,876 Leigh 8,580 Correction 169 Corr Total 76,699 Can anyone help correct the match numbers above or is it too early to be sure?

The guy in charge of the annual sports awards was on a talk back show and I rang him and asked why the Warriors making the GF that year didn't even warrant them being nominated. He said that RL was too small a sport to be considered. I pointed out another small sport having a nomination that year but he said it was still bigger than RL. I reminded him that in terms of public awareness and popularity, RL was streets ahead but he was unmoved. That was many years ago but shows what RL has faced historically. Thankfully that sort of attitude is all but gone in NZ and RL is no longer being treated like that.

France it is then.

The current criteria are only provisional so IMG can still tweak the system to give London a fairer score. I assume a new score will be lower than some think it should be but the existing rating of the Broncos seems unreasonable.

The women's game has a future. York RLFC has seen that potential and has been quick to react.

I was hoping Sir James would extend his Manchester sports investment and add Salford RD to said portfolio. What a shot in the arm that would be for the RDs and it wouldn't cost that much to do so. I guess profile is everything.

Based on quality = 4. Based on spreading the GG = 20. Based on current media earnings = 10. Based on avoiding loop fixtures = 14+.

Everything has been thrown out except the kitchen sink....although I'm sure Trin could now arrange a DIY one of those too.