FORUMS FORUMS






RLFANS.COM
Celebrating
25 years service to
the Rugby League
Community!

   WWW.RLFANS.COM • View topic - Super 8’s scrapped from 2019
brian2 
RankPostsTeam
Moderator1975No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Apr 19 200222 years305th
OnlineLast PostLast Page
22nd Jun 21 16:4213th Jun 21 17:42LINK
Milestone Posts
1000
2500
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Moderator

Super 8’s scrapped from 2019 : Tue Jun 12, 2018 8:38 pm  
[quote][Super League will scrap the current Super 8s format next season and switch to a 'one-up, one-down' system, says new chief executive Robert Elstone.

Promotion and relegation is currently decided by fusing the Super League's bottom four after 23 regular season games with the Championship top four.

After playing each other once, the top three go up, while a fourth versus fifth play-off completes the quartet.

"The Super 8s was well-intended," Elstone told BBC Sport.

"In the search for a competition format that retained interest right through is a laudable objective, but what it has created is too much uncertainty and risk. Right now 12 Super League clubs, six or seven of them are worried about dropping into the Qualifiers, getting a bad injury run and facing big life changes.

"The Championship clubs looking up are thinking it's a great opportunity, but in the medium term if you're promoted then a year later you face the same risk.

"Fans aren't sure about fixture lists, broadcasters aren't sure about fixture lists, and I think we just have to take the uncertainty out and go back to something we are used to.

"The detail of one-up one down in terms of standards, the automatic nature is something we need to work through."

That format, introduced in 2015, means all clubs play 30 games before any further play-off activity, six more than their National Rugby League counterparts in the southern hemisphere.

With Challenge Cup ties also added to the schedule, elite players in the northern hemisphere are taking on a greater workload.

'It's an absurd grab for power'

There has already been one dissenting voice after Elstone revealed the changes - Leeds Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington.

Hetherington, who has had administrative roles at Sheffield and Leeds as well as coaching and playing positions, and was formerly president of the RFL, was quick to reveal his discontent.

"Today's announcement regarding plans for next season appear to be an absurd grab for power for the game by a small group of men who think they own the game," the statement from Leeds said.

"Leeds Rhinos are not party to this and are totally against the creation of a separate Super League executive.

"Super League clubs voted 7 to 5 at our last meeting on some key issues related to promotion and relegation.

"The game is in need of strong leadership from Brian Barwick and his board of directors at the Rugby Football League, the games governing body, and this announcement should bring a response from everyone connected with the game."

Elstone, flanked by St Helens owner Eamonn McManus, Wigan owner Ian Lenagan and Warrington owner Simon Moran, covered a wide range of topics on his introduction to the media.

The key messages were:

The Super League was keen to work with the Rugby Football League, working together to strengthen the game
Fears of a loss of funding for Championship and League One clubs outside Super League - currently guaranteed up to 2021 by the broadcast deal - were allayed
Super League is the main point of attraction for new fans of the game and must be given the best resources to grow the sport
There had been some concern that the appointment of a new chief executive was a precursor towards a split similar to that of the Premier League from the Football League in 1992.

However, the message at the press conference was one of partnership and reconciliation rather than breaking out.

"The game can't be fractured, it has to heal and come together as one, I have to establish positive working relationships with RFL that recognises Super League's responsibility to the wider game but equally we have to set bar highly for the RFL," Elstone added.

"We need them to be best in class around rules, compliance and referees. We have to be brilliant at developing commercial focus, but we need to work together."

There had been whispers earlier in the season that the future of funding for Championship and League One clubs could be changed.

But all parties were keen to point out the broadcast agreement the sport has with television broadcaster Sky would remain in place.

"There is a commitment, that financial security is in place for the entirety of the broadcasting deal," Elstone said.

Saints chairman McManus added: "We've been in discussions in recent months with the RFL directly and ultimately with the Championship clubs and with the funding they take out of Super League at this point in time will remain in place, it has been agreed."

Elstone said the sport could learn something from the way the football structure works in England, where a strong top flight filters down interest throughout the leagues.

"If we can create a much stronger Super League and grow that cake, if we can raise interest in the top flight competition then that benefits all," he continued.

"The obvious analogy is football with Premier League and the Championship is the fifth or sixth most-watched league

"Football and rugby league are vastly different economics, but ultimately the attraction of the Premier League, where every kid, boy or girl from whatever ground is obsessed by Premier League football, drives them into stadiums to watch at clubs like Barnsley, Crewe or Chester.

"We are never going to get to that level but it's a model we can aspire to."
/quote]

Thoughts? Where does it leave us?
RankPostsTeam
Club Captain2810No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Jun 13 20177 years212th
OnlineLast PostLast Page
26th Mar 24 21:0817th Mar 24 18:54LINK
Milestone Posts
2500
5000
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530

Re: Super 8’s scrapped from 2019 : Tue Jun 12, 2018 9:02 pm  
Where does it leave us? It leaves us in the same position as every other club that wants promotion, we are no different from anyone else.
All depends on how much money you have to spend to get the players you need to top the league and win any comp that is put in place to decide who goes up, or comes down.
jbuzza 
User avatar
RankPostsTeam
International Board Member5054
JoinedServiceReputation
Mar 09 200222 years97th
OnlineLast PostLast Page
25th Mar 24 08:2824th Mar 24 23:48LINK
Milestone Posts
5000
10000
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Twickenham
Signature
Gus Mackay we salute you!!

Re: Super 8’s scrapped from 2019 : Tue Jun 12, 2018 10:56 pm  
northernbloke wrote:
Where does it leave us?
Not sure it makes any difference to us. DH isn't going to fund a SL standard squad.
RankPostsTeam
Club Captain2810No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Jun 13 20177 years212th
OnlineLast PostLast Page
26th Mar 24 21:0817th Mar 24 18:54LINK
Milestone Posts
2500
5000
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530

Re: Super 8’s scrapped from 2019 : Tue Jun 12, 2018 10:59 pm  
What about the next owner?
DH is not going to be around forever.
User avatar
RankPostsTeam
Club Captain2921
JoinedServiceReputation
Jun 12 20177 yearsN/A
OnlineLast PostLast Page
15th Sep 19 21:4014th Sep 19 21:21LINK
Milestone Posts
2500
5000
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Signature
JESUS WEPT :WALL: HOW MANY TIMES?????
£20 a ticket and £15 on beer and merchandise.....so an away fan is worth £35. At best, 1,000 is the average away support split across 11 rounds and I am being really generous here, so Toronto, replacing say Wakefield will cost a SL club £35,000.
The minimum turnover of a SL club is £4,000,000 so Toronto instead of Widnes is worth less than 1% of a SL clubs turnover.

There are many valid reasons for and against expansion into America, but "AWAY FANS" isn't one of them. :BEAT:

Re: Super 8’s scrapped from 2019 : Tue Jun 12, 2018 11:18 pm  
It makes little difference to us or our aspirations or lack of them. Without the Argyle/Beaumont aggressive buying of a squad and bankrolling further when promoted we will shuffle along in the upper half of the 2nd tier until our retired owner vanishes.......and then it's down to the Skolars level and beyond.

What it means for the game is that the top teams (Wigan/Saints/Leeds/Wire/FC) with the sustainable business model will grow, the middle sides (Castleford, Catalan) will strive and the rest will scramble to avoid the drop like they did back in the day and when the money men die off, the likes of Huddersfield, Salford, Wakefield, Widnes and Toronto will join us chasing scraps from the top table......it's all about financial sustainability.....something we've never been good at.
User avatar
RankPostsTeam
International Star261No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Jun 06 201113 years301st
OnlineLast PostLast Page
10th Feb 24 02:137th Feb 23 19:00LINK
Milestone Posts
250
500
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Lancashire

Re: Super 8’s scrapped from 2019 : Wed Jun 13, 2018 8:24 am  
Based on this statement the Denver game should be scrapped, as it's main aim is to promote the international expansion of the UK game. We will be cast adrift along with Fev, Halifax, Dewsbury etc., if the new clubs are allowed the same open cheque book that Toronto have enjoyed.

The "RFL" need to regain control of the sport and run it in all members interests, but current and potential. That will need a new Chairman, board and CEO as a precursor.
RankPostsTeam
International Star1025No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Jan 15 201311 years204th
OnlineLast PostLast Page
29th Apr 22 13:4425th Apr 22 17:06LINK
Milestone Posts
1000
2500
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530

Re: Super 8’s scrapped from 2019 : Wed Jun 13, 2018 9:11 am  
How are they deciding the one up from the Championship?? Is it the top side, or is it a play off between the Top 2/4 to see who goes up. If it is top 1 it will just be the relegated side going back up each season (thanks to their parachute payment) probably (or the new North American team that joins)
RankPostsTeam
Player Coach991No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Jan 16 200519 years249th
OnlineLast PostLast Page
8th Feb 23 23:311st Nov 22 11:01LINK
Milestone Posts
500
1000
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530

Re: Super 8’s scrapped from 2019 : Wed Jun 13, 2018 9:19 am  
The suggestion is the MPG will still be there (hopefully with a less cringeworthy name) with the winner being promoted.
RankPostsTeam
Club Captain2810No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Jun 13 20177 years212th
OnlineLast PostLast Page
26th Mar 24 21:0817th Mar 24 18:54LINK
Milestone Posts
2500
5000
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530

Re: Super 8’s scrapped from 2019 : Wed Jun 13, 2018 9:36 am  
Looks like they are going for a top 2 play off game to decide who goes up. That will not last long I would imagine folk will be up in arms when the team that finishes second wins the one off game to go up.
jbuzza 
User avatar
RankPostsTeam
International Board Member5054
JoinedServiceReputation
Mar 09 200222 years97th
OnlineLast PostLast Page
25th Mar 24 08:2824th Mar 24 23:48LINK
Milestone Posts
5000
10000
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Twickenham
Signature
Gus Mackay we salute you!!

Re: Super 8’s scrapped from 2019 : Wed Jun 13, 2018 9:37 am  
northernbloke wrote:
What about the next owner?
DH is not going to be around forever.


I would rather we had a club that was sustainable in its own right but we seem a long way from that now.

I seem to remember Lenegan saying at one point that break even would require an average gate of around 5,000. We were achieving that at the start of the SL era and had the potential of doing so towards the end of our time at Griffin Park and in the early years back at The Stoop.

Since then attendances have steadily declined and while costs in the Championship are less so is the income from away fans and TV.

Our attendance history suggests that being sustainable in London requires a competitive SL team. Clearly DH is no longer willing or able to make the sort of investment required for that and perhaps will only fund a part-time Championship side going forward.

In the absence of a new owner who could make the required investment (clearly at considerable risk) we will continue to rely DH and possibly decline further.

Having said all of that, I would rather watch a reasonably competitive Championship side than a poor SL team like we had during the later years at The Stoop and at The Hive.
Next

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Deadcowboys1, Reboot and 117 guests

REPLY

Subject: 
Message:
   
Please note using apple style emoji's can result in posting failures.
Use the FULL EDITOR to better format content or upload images, be notified of replies etc...

Return to London Broncos


RLFANS Recent Posts
FORUM
LAST
POST
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
3m
The Good Friday Derby Massacre
HU8HFC
122
23m
Game - Song Titles
Wanderer
34267
25m
BORED The Band Name Game
Wanderer
55981
26m
Saints a
Cherry_&
16
36m
ALL NEW 49ERS ERA LEEDS UTD THREAD
chapylad
1385
40m
21 man Squads - Devils v Leopards
Septimius Se
2
40m
WIRE YED Prediction Competition Catalans Home
Wire n Steel
13
46m
Squad for Catalan
Alffi_7
5
Recent
Fevround 2
Wollo-Wollo-
89
Recent
Huddersfield - Home
Fartown58
6
FORUM
LAST
VIEW
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
52s
Saints a
Cherry_&
16
1m
BORED The Band Name Game
Wanderer
55981
1m
21 man Squads - Devils v Leopards
Septimius Se
2
1m
Squad for Catalan
Alffi_7
5
2m
WIRE YED Prediction Competition Catalans Home
Wire n Steel
13
2m
The Bulls away
Hudd-Shay
8
2m
ALL NEW 49ERS ERA LEEDS UTD THREAD
chapylad
1385
2m
2024 Southstandercom Prediction Competition Week 6
deanos rhino
24
3m
Smith - should he stay or should he go
Rocknrolla69
347
3m
The official Leon Hayes Thread
Alffi_7
13
FORUM
NEW
TOPICS
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
TODAY
21 man Squads - Devils v Leopards
Septimius Se
2
TODAY
Squad for Catalan
Alffi_7
5
TODAY
The Wigan Way - New Podcast - Chairman Special
Jukesays
1
TODAY
Dons v Swinton Lions 30 June 2024
Wanderer
1
TODAY
Squad for Sheffield
AdamH
1
TODAY
London Away
Fartown58
1
TODAY
The Bulls away
Hudd-Shay
8
TODAY
The official Leon Hayes Thread
Alffi_7
13
TODAY
Saints a
Cherry_&
16
TODAY
Leon Ruan signs on loan
Jemmo
2
TODAY
Wardle
Jo Jumbuck
3
TODAY
Huddersfield - Home
Fartown58
6
TODAY
Max Wood on loan to Bradford 2 weeks
rubber ducki
7
TODAY
Jake Wardle 5 Year deal
Zig
22
TODAY
No grade A for 2025 for Trinity
Khlav Kalash
22
TODAY
Cup Quarter Final TV Arrangements
RLFANS News
1
TODAY
Rd 6 I Cas A
Rockinhorse
21
TODAY
WIRE YED Prediction Competition Catalans Home
Wire n Steel
13
TODAY
Spare Tickets Friday
post
4
TODAY
RL Podcast
AgbriggAmble
1
TODAY
Challenge Cup
stpatricks
37
NEWS ITEMS
VIEWS
Cup Quarter Final TV Arrangeme..
482
2024 Challenge Cup Quarter Fin..
594
Easy Does It For The Dragons A..
535
Warrington Demolish London For..
645
Leigh Leopards Beat Plucky Fea..
697
Saints Triumph Over Disappoint..
667
Easy Win for the Wolves Over L..
917
Dragons Condemn Castleford To ..
900
Leigh Leopards Secure First Po..
1044
St Helens Tame The Rhinos To W..
1017
Wigan Warriors Come From Behin..
1073
Betfred Championship and Leagu..
1062
2024 Challenge Cup Sixth Round..
3834
Featherstone Win Extra Time Cu..
1183
Dragons Triumph Over Hull FC t..
1061
RLFANS Match Centre
Matches on TV
Table 'boards.stats_fixtures' doesn't exist