Re: Has RL lost its sparkle : Sat Feb 17, 2018 5:06 pm  

I understand why he's ex changes have happened, but for me, the removal of shoulder charges, punching and brawls has had a massive impact on the theatre of the game.
The best games and atmospheres I've ever known have been the ones where there's some malice, hatred and gladiatorial stuff happening on the pitch - you just can't replace the feeling that type of thing brings.
Again; I get why things have changed, but I do feel it hasn't put off a large number of die hard fans - that stuff was part of the fabric of the game. Go toe to toe, man on man, and do whatever is required to beat your man, then have a pint together afterwards - we've lost some of that.
There's a balance needed, as there's no place for cheap shots and out and out thuggery (Les Davidson style), but for me, the game would be more entertaining if the players were able to hand out some immediate retribution for anything untowards and we could have some fireworks.

Re: Has RL lost its sparkle : Sat Feb 17, 2018 5:48 pm  

You obviously weren't at Odsal last Sunday for the Bulls v Cougars derby "friendly". 5 cards (4 of them red) etc. Warmed us up!

Re: Has RL lost its sparkle : Sat Feb 17, 2018 8:37 pm  

Apart from the Rovers v Catalan game, I've enjoyed most of them to be honest, and commentary turned down

Re: Has RL lost its sparkle : Sat Feb 17, 2018 9:15 pm  

Cross Hills Cougar wrote:

You obviously weren't at Odsal last Sunday for the Bulls v Cougars derby "friendly". 5 cards (4 of them red) etc. Warmed us up!

Hadn't even heard about that... what happened? And more importantly - did it make for good entertainment?

Re: Has RL lost its sparkle : Sat Feb 17, 2018 9:33 pm  

Judder Man wrote:

The game lost its sparkle about 7 years ago, when some of our best players migrated to the NRL and nothing significant came over here to raise the standard of Superleague.

Although it hurts to admit this, Cas had plenty of sparkle last season and the best rule change in recent years, allowing the hitting corner flag and to still be play on, has seen some of the most spectacular scores EVER seen on a rugby field.
It would have been great to see someone like Offiah to have the benefit.
Granted, we (the British game) are no longer capable of attracting top Aussie and Kiwi players at their peak but, some of the attacking play in the modern era beats any of the stuff from yesteryear.

Re: Has RL lost its sparkle : Sat Feb 17, 2018 10:26 pm  

Wilde 3 wrote:

Apart from the Rovers v Catalan game, I've enjoyed most of them to be honest, and commentary turned down

This I think proves my point, to me the KR Catalan game was great as Rovers are my
team. I assume most people like me have little connection to the sides in most TV games not involving our clubs. I have got rid of sky & only use now TV for the games I am interested in. I won't get to any Rovers games now as they insist on playing Friday evenings or Thursday. They don't kick off until a time I am getting ready for bed or at least at home. I get my fill now watching amateur sides or I intend to try the odd Sunday game at York. I would love to take my grand kid to a game but not at eight at night. I have followed my club for over 50 years & it breaks my heart not to go & as I say TV rarely makes up for missing live games, That's how I was introduced to the great game not through TV.

Re: Has RL lost its sparkle : Sun Feb 18, 2018 4:32 am  

wrencat1873 wrote:

Although it hurts to admit this, Cas had plenty of sparkle last season and the best rule change in recent years, allowing the hitting corner flag and to still be play on, has seen some of the most spectacular scores EVER seen on a rugby field.
It would have been great to see someone like Offiah to have the benefit.
Granted, we (the British game) are no longer capable of attracting top Aussie and Kiwi players at their peak but, some of the attacking play in the modern era beats any of the stuff from yesteryear.

Attacking play is dreadful. Go watch a few videos of Wigan around 1995. To name a few.

Re: Has RL lost its sparkle : Sun Feb 18, 2018 6:48 am  

Beverley red wrote:

This I think proves my point, to me the KR Catalan game was great as Rovers are my
team. I assume most people like me have little connection to the sides in most TV games not involving our clubs. I have got rid of sky & only use now TV for the games I am interested in. I won't get to any Rovers games now as they insist on playing Friday evenings or Thursday. They don't kick off until a time I am getting ready for bed or at least at home. I get my fill now watching amateur sides or I intend to try the odd Sunday game at York. I would love to take my grand kid to a game but not at eight at night. I have followed my club for over 50 years & it breaks my heart not to go & as I say TV rarely makes up for missing live games, That's how I was introduced to the great game not through TV.

I agree and don’t agree with what you have said agree about the Thursday Friday matches because the gates on Sundays are a lot better but with out sky were I now live I would only see rugby league once or twice a year has I now live down south

Re: Has RL lost its sparkle : Sun Feb 18, 2018 8:29 am  

wrencat1873 wrote:

Although it hurts to admit this, Cas had plenty of sparkle last season and the best rule change in recent years, allowing the hitting corner flag and to still be play on, has seen some of the most spectacular scores EVER seen on a rugby field.
It would have been great to see someone like Offiah to have the benefit.
Granted, we (the British game) are no longer capable of attracting top Aussie and Kiwi players at their peak but, some of the attacking play in the modern era beats any of the stuff from yesteryear.

The first 10 years of Superleague had a decent level of intensity, there was enough quality skillful players for most of the tries to be scored from exciting passing plays.
These days there a lot of tries scored from kicking plays, if hitting the corner flag was not allowed there would be a big reduction in try’s scored. Most of the game would then be 5 drives and a kick add in all the wrestling in the tackle then we have a basic low intensity step start game with lots of rest periods so that players can keep it as a power game.

Re: Has RL lost its sparkle : Sun Feb 18, 2018 9:07 am  

Judder Man wrote:

The first 10 years of Superleague had a decent level of intensity, there was enough quality skillful players for most of the tries to be scored from exciting passing plays.
These days there a lot of tries scored from kicking plays, if hitting the corner flag was not allowed there would be a big reduction in try’s scored. Most of the game would then be 5 drives and a kick add in all the wrestling in the tackle then we have a basic low intensity step start game with lots of rest periods so that players can keep it as a power game.

Would you not attribute much of this to the increase in Aussie coaches and their emphasis on defence.
The game now is all about territory and "coaching by numbers".
As I alluded to in my earlier post Powell at Cas, has a whole different strategy and whilst it unravelled spectacularly in the GF, Cas played some really attractive rugby.
There is always a tendency to remember the good things from the past and believe that things were better than they were.
A previous poster mentioned Wigan of the 90's, a star studded side, that almost bankrupt them and the game.
It's up to the modern day coaches (and players) to find ways to score against better defences and whilst your right that more tries are coming from kick plays.
Although your right about the corner flag ruling possibly increasing kick plays to the corner, the athleticism of todays wingers is stunning and this rule should be kept.