fighting irish

Let me say first of all, that I appreciate you taking the time to explain in more detail what you really mean. One-line, (unsubstantiated) statements of ''fact'' without any supporting or explanatory commentary can be tiresome and (appear arrogant) and even seem insulting, especially if they are laced with innuendo, or implication. I'm tired of cliche so please forgive me for pointing them out. I'm happy to engage with opposing views, as long as there's enough information for me to understand your arguments. I have to say that I'm still unsure exactly what you claim, dulls the appetite, for existing fans? Now to my suggestion - Sylvain Houles is drawing attention to the fact that they are struggling to adjust to the pace and pressure of Super League. My suggestion was an attempt to provide a solution to that problem only, (acknowledging that the existing system makes it very difficult for newly promoted teams to settle in). The idea also leaves the door open for aspiring teams to enter (when ready) and so removes the anathema ''closed shop'' that Harry is so opposed to, keeping alive the hopes of all fans throughout the game. By moving to 14 teams, the loop fixtures would be eliminated. I said earlier that this suggestion alone, will not solve all the games ills, but (I think) will ease the situation for newly promoted ambitious teams, struggling to make the transition to Super League. I can see that my long-winded post may have made it seem more complicated than it really is but it's actually very simple. In a nutshell, I'm suggesting that a newly promoted team can play for 2 seasons without fear of relegation but then must compete with all the others in their third season. One final point, it's my personal view, that expanding into France (Europe) will eventually reap rewards for the game, improving France's uptake (and World Cup chances) whereas shrinking back to the M62 shows a complete lack of ambition for the game and some real short term anxieties, which may put off potential sponsors.

Well its not a fool proof cure-all, that's for sure. It would though I believe, remove loop fixtures, which dull the appetite for those games. It would also allow newly promoted clubs a little time to adjust to life in the fast lane, which is what Toulouse were asking for. I think all promoted teams are disadvantaged by being thrown in the deep end with hardly any time to recruit players and prepare them pre-season for the onslaught to come. My proposal would ease that situation for them. I don't really understand your ''race to the bottom'' comment? Is that something you read in a self-help book? Nor do I understand your reference to ''exactly the same amount of weekly rounds''? You know surely, that the clubs are against reducing the number of weekly rounds? That's why the loop fixtures exist today. Lastly, I've explained explicitly why I think the outcome would be different, twice (here and above) so your last line seems like another cliche from your ''idiots guide to self help'' ?

Here's my suggestion :- Promoting one team without relegation for two seasons bringing the SL up to 14 would be a good idea. This would bring (say) Leigh and Fev into the SL whilst preserving everyone else. This would eliminate the dreaded loop fixtures that exists today and gives two full years for the league administration to increase the amount of money coming into the game. Then I'd introduce a two year exemption from relegation, for newly promoted teams. This would give them (newly promoted teams) two/three full seasons to gear up for life in the Super League. In the event that a Championship winning club, doesn't feel ready, no promotion or relegation would take place, so it's not automatic, but Championship winning clubs could apply and declare themselves ready. If say London, or Newcastle, or York, or Widnes (or any other) are bristling and ready for promotion, then they would displace the lowest team in the league, not protected by an exemption. So at the end of this season, say Fev are promoted and we have a 13 team SL. Then at the end of 2023 Leigh come up. At the end of 2024, Fev and Leigh would be safe, (Leigh for 2 years and Fev for one), whereas one of Toulouse, Wakefield, Salford, Hull KR, (say) would be for the drop, say its Wakey. Then say Newcastle or Widnes or London get promoted their two year exemption begins. At the end of 2025, Salford, Hull KR, Cas' and Fev might be fighting it out to stay up, but Leigh and Newcastle are safe. Say Hull KR are relegated. Wakey may get promoted straight back up, or alternatively London get promoted and their two year exemption begins. At the end of 2026, it could be Salford, Cas and Leigh fighting it out for survival and Newcastle and London are still exempt as their clock ticks down. Of course,(and this is a very important point, and the whole reason for exemption in the first place, is that) if a club is promoted and during it's exemption period it exceeds all expectations and ends up finishing above the relegations zone (in the top 6 playoffs, perhaps) they would be out of the relegation zone anyway, so their exemption isn't needed.

I'm leaning towards you, in this argument Oxford. I too believe that relegation can spell financial disaster for clubs, which could lead to oblivion, or take years to recover from but I can see the point of view, of 'Arry and the others who don't want aspiring clubs to be locked out. Some have suggested retaining P&R but under a different format, such as counting aggregate scores over 3 or 4 years, in order to decide who's relegated, or protecting newly promoted clubs for a season (or two, or three) in order to let them ''settle in''. Do you have an idea, for improving the situation (making it less hazardous) financially, for the relegated (and promoted clubs)?

Come on Jamaica.

I thought this tournament was to be televised?

I hope the Aussies create some kind of Development arm over there, the potential is truly enormous. They could certainly do with some help.

What's happened at Warrington then, why the changes to the pre-match entertainments etc. Has there been a change in management/marketing staff?

Yes mate, he is a pig of a man. The justification that ''Nobody got hurt'' says all you need to know about the bloke. I personally think it's time for the lawmakers to draft explicit definitions of what constitutes an allowable tackle (as painstaking as that may be). Ambiguous phrases like the old ''ungentlemanly conduct'' or ''unsportsmanlike behaviour'' and poorly defined laws, leave us (the game) open to justifiable harsh criticism and ridicule (from our enemies), the players at risk of real physical abuse and god forbid, (given the continually developing muscular/physical power of the players) increased risk of suffering life changing, devastating injury. Those comments just reveal the contempt the commentators have for the individual players safety. What does it matter, if a few players get hurt as long as the game continues, full steam ahead, making money. They implicitly argue that it's ok to put the players at risk in order to heighten the grotesque shock/horror element, that they believe enhances the spectacle of the NRL and increases the games television income. Cleaning the game up by removing that class of tackle will only enhance the games following (allowing for continued growth in participation at junior level) and take nothing at all, from the highly skilled, all action, spectacle that is modern Rugby League.

Great news! Thanks for sharing it UTK.

I don't even know what I meant, my old mate. I was agreeing that as I get older I'm (foolishly) more certain that I know how the world works and that belief, can (tend to) make me more argumentative. My confession that I once made a mistake (a long time ago), was meant to be subtly humorous, (not really a statement of fact). Even I'm not that arrogant. At the bottom of it was a simple desire to say hello to you (and to try to make you laugh). I'm glad you've re-appeared. I've missed you. I loved the short vid/song. I hope to be that lucky, in spite of myself. I rejoice in the fact that we are not the same, that we are all unique, although (most) people spend so much time trying to blend in, you can easily forget that fact. Please keep sending your (unique) stuff? You lift my spirits.

He's quoting Sun Tzu's The Art of War, sixth century BC, (I think Wayne Bennett worked with him) but says he normally doesn't refer to others to find wisdom preferring to create his own. "I'm a writer. I have a little book that I write in," he said. You couldn't make it up! Genius.

I think you've got to accept your fallibility. I made a mistake once.

That's what happens when you rely on your Missus to tell you what to think!

Let's start a petition to bring in Rene Gartner for a spell?

One of the things we don't know about viewing figures (or do we?) is the make up of the audience. How many are die-hard RL followers and how many are newcomers? The numbers may be similar to SKY's weekly output but if 50% of them were new to the sport, then that's great news.

I just registered with Channel 4 which promises email alerts in future, so that might help you and I personally, not to miss any in future.

Big shout out (that's me trying to keep up with the times, quoting Steve Wright. I think it means many congratulations) for Channel 4 on this one, the whole show was great. Please keep Martin Offiah, he brought some real authentic enthusiasm about the game and a great sense of humour. The ladies were great too, young, fresh, bright and yet very knowledgeable commentary. All in all a very enjoyable presentation. Last, but by no means least, the players, who contrived to produce a truly spectacular match, the outcome of which was uncertain, right to the end. This medium (I believe) has the recipe right, to draw in many new spectators to our favourite game.

Let's have more, please?

I've got two theories. One - he's tried to do something and has been over-ruled by the owner/manager, so it's an insurmountable conflict. Two - He's off to Leeds to mentor his nephew after an approach by Gary Hetherington, all done with HKR's blessing.

How's this for a curve ball, just to keep it going? I've got a real soft spot for Tanya, but I've started to wonder if we could do a short term exchange deal and swap her for Rene Gartner for a few months (weeks). I'm sure the NRL experience would do Tanya the world of good and might improve the BBC's presentation, when she gets back. Best game in the world and all that.

What's your auntie Marg' doing on July 17th?

Yes I did read that. I'm not knocking them but I don't think that's the easiest way to do it.

Have a look at my earlier post Bob? I'm sure they will be able to measure the velocity of the ball during the few split seconds before the ball carrier releases the ball and just after.

Isn't that a Mike Tyson quote?