Amen brother! I used to prefer superleague to the boring NRL. Now its the other way round, I cant be bothered to watch superleague as much as I used to and love the NRL.

SL and it's stupid rule changes as well as the SC and playing in the summer, has ruined this once fine sport

Playing in the summer is miles better

I've been saying this for years. The biggest change for me has come as a result of the 10 metre rule. Teams used to have to stand deep, and had to have proper half backs capable of opening up a defence, ala Andy Greg. Now teams stand flat and rely on quick the balls and offloads to make a break.


The game has changed for the worse. Teams are so fit now, and with 12 interchanges it's more like American football. As soon as a player looks tired he comes off, you can't target players and exploit the gaps anymore.

Wingers aren't wingers anymore, there's not one person now who knows how to stand a player up and have the confidence to use the touchline like you'd see from most wingers 20 years ago. Wingers now are expected to look good scooting from dummy half, and being good in the air when the ball is kicked to the corner 4000 times a game.

I still love the game, but I don't think the skill level is anywhere near what it was 20 years ago. It's more fitness and possession now, and kicks are to much a part of the game now. Wingers are used to scoot from dummy half, then it's a series of attempted quick play the balls with a few offloads in an attempt to get into the opponents 22, then it's inevitably a kick to the corner. That isn't entertaining rugby, it's like watching union, and unfortunately it's the only thing Noble has coached our team since he's been here.

no it isn't

Agreed. But as long as the travelling 60 Huddersfield fans are happy

So slogging it out in a mud pile and freezing cold all season is better than what we got now?

Slogging it out in mud and freezing cold for 3/4 of the season?

yes, after all it was good enough for the game for over a hundred years

I agree with the point your making and all praise to McDermott for realising this.
I was crying out on Friday night (as the people next to me) for Wigan to kick over the full-back because it doesn't matter if it goes dead, especially in bad conditions.
The rules do need to change but as they stand coaches shoulod take advantage. For coaches read Brian Noble.
I can't believe what some coaches miss.
Years ago I went to Halifax and remarked that since the pitch was short, Farrell should be careful with the kick-off. What did he do? Kick it dead.
I watched Widnes play at Halifax a week ago and was thinking about this. What did Widnes do. Kick it dead! Amazing.

Got to agree. Better for players and better for fans.