And, just on a similar, but equally important subject, am I the only person who thinks that the Rugby League World Cup should be postponed until at least next year?
Coming so soon after the Toronto fiasco, the sport simply CANNOT afford another PR failure.
A World Cup without spectators (or a very limited number) is a recipe for disaster, and given the general uncertainty, the governing body simply cannot afford to play fast and loose with the games credibility.
Plenty of other big events have already been mothballed for 2021, so I cannot see any justification for continuing along this path.
Call it off now!!
And, just on a similar, but equally important subject, am I the only person who thinks that the Rugby League World Cup should be postponed until at least next year? Coming so soon after the Toronto fiasco, the sport simply CANNOT afford another PR failure. A World Cup without spectators (or a very limited number) is a recipe for disaster, and given the general uncertainty, the governing body simply cannot afford to play fast and loose with the games credibility. Plenty of other big events have already been mothballed for 2021, so I cannot see any justification for continuing along this path. Call it off now!!
Along with my mates, I have 27 (I think) games booked in the World Cup, including Newcastle on the opening afternoon, down to Hull in the evening, then back up to Geordieland on the Sunday, but.........
I would not argue if it was postponed for twelve months, if there was a better chance of filling the stadiums come 2022.
I love international football, but I'm more than willing to wait for a year, if the tournament can be staged in a manner befitting the game I also love.
Spelly.
I don't think it does put their participation in doubt. Whilst it looks messy there is a plan put in place for them to continue.
I’d think they would make the play offs. The table being decided by percentage wins rather than points combined with the quality of the squad compared to most teams makes it unlikely that they won’t.
Has the Toulouse situation been resolved now?
Has the Toulouse situation been resolved now?
I would imagine (although I admit that I deffo don't know for certain) the answer is "No, not yet." Macron was on the telly the other day, announcing further lockdowns over there, lasting for at least three weeks. So I would imagine nowt will be decided before then.
Spelly.
Has the Toulouse situation been resolved now?
I would imagine (although I admit that I deffo don’t know for certain) the answer is “No, not yet.” Macron was on the telly the other day, announcing further lockdowns over there, lasting for at least three weeks. So I would imagine nowt will be decided before then. Spelly.
Hmm what an absolute farce. If we couldn’t send a team over there due to Covid and isolating requirements then we should be given the points. If a home team can’t offer a safe match event or fulfil the fixture to its normal standard, then they shouldn’t be in the comp, period.
Spike - Would it be fair to penalise a team who were unable to fulfil / host a fixture because of rules / instructions that'd come from central government hundreds of miles away?
Spelly.
Spike – Would it be fair to penalise a team who were unable to fulfil / host a fixture because of rules / instructions that’d come from central government hundreds of miles away? Spelly.
Yes absolutely. This is why cross border leagues are as volatile and largely unsustainable particularly when you are in part-time, part-timers having to travel 900 miles away for a game is absurd. .Toulouse could gain an advantage and win points with teams not been able to gather team to play them.
What a joke London get a 24-0 defeat, yet Leeds don't go to Catalans and the same doesn't apply??
Am I being cynical by saying based on the previous weekend's league results, the Broncos would prob have lost by more than two dozen points had the fixture gone ahead?
Spelly.
Am I being cynical by saying based on the previous weekend’s league results, the Broncos would prob have lost by more than two dozen points had the fixture gone ahead? Spelly.
That is not the point of tho Spell. Competitive sport isn’t about what you think would happen, it is about what happens. Essentially, giving a team the points they can’t fulfil their fixtures makes the competition look like parody. Widnes beat Toulouse in 2019 away from home, who’s to say, another team wouldn’t do it?
Fundamentally, this isn’t Toulouse’s fault, nor is it their rivals for promotion. An Ultimatum should have been stipulated at the start of the season, base your home matches in the U.K. until restrictions are lifted or drop out of the competition.
In football if a team can’t travel to a country for a CL match, UEFA state either find an alternative country that will allow matches to be played or forfeit the match.
Am I being cynical by saying based on the previous weekend’s league results, the Broncos would prob have lost by more than two dozen points had the fixture gone ahead? Spelly.
That is not the point of tho Spell. Competitive sport isn’t about what you think would happen, it is about what happens. Essentially, giving a team the points they can’t fulfil their fixtures makes the competition look like parody. Widnes beat Toulouse in 2019 away from home, who’s to say, another team wouldn’t do it? Fundamentally, this isn’t Toulouse’s fault, nor is it their rivals for promotion. An Ultimatum should have been stipulated at the start of the season, base your home matches in the U.K. until restrictions are lifted or drop out of the competition. In football if a team can’t travel to a country for a CL match, UEFA state either find an alternative country that will allow matches to be played or forfeit the match.
I admit that my comment was tongue in cheek-ish, and like you, we too have come away from Toulouse smiling.
You mention 'em being based overseas, and my NRL team, the Warriors did / still do that. It must be really hard being away from your family, and some players actually returned home last season. I know I would hate it, if I was separated from my loved ones.
Could Toulouse afford / finance it, if they were this side of La Manche for a considerable time? As far as I know, they've no sugar daddy, but I stand to be corrected there.
We're due across there mid next month, but I'm not holding my breath about jumping on a plane and going! They're one of our "only play once" opponents, along with Fev.
There's no easy answer, especially as our restrictions are being eased, co-incide with our cousins over there seemingly to be heading in the opposite direction.
Spelly.
I understand it’s not easy, but I don’t understand any competition who would change the overall dynamic just to suit one club. A club can get a 12 point deduction for administration but another club potentially gets 20+ points without having to even play a match.
I actually like Tolouse and I think they should have been promoted but I have never heard of a completion giving a team consistently allocated match points without playing matches.
Has the Toulouse situation been resolved now?
I would imagine (although I admit that I deffo don’t know for certain) the answer is “No, not yet.” Macron was on the telly the other day, announcing further lockdowns over there, lasting for at least three weeks. So I would imagine nowt will be decided before then. Spelly.
Hmm what an absolute farce. If we couldn’t send a team over there due to Covid and isolating requirements then we should be given the points. If a home team can’t offer a safe match event or fulfil the fixture to its normal standard, then they shouldn ’t be in the comp, period.
Playing (for the millionth time I admit) Devil's Advocate, would it be (un)fair on a club, if they are / were, acting on / conforming to rules that are from central Government?
Spelly.