The fact that there is mention of a 'panel' probably means that they don't have to work from the facts & figures/stats/IMG ratings, they have the elbow room to circumvent the previously agreed rules and crowbar in whoever they want i.e. Bradford most probs, who wouldn't get there based on any other metric.
There seemed to be a couple of SL Chairmen coming out in defence of Catalans this week, I wonder if their place is under threat.
The fact that there is mention of a 'panel' probably means that they don't have to work from the facts & figures/stats/IMG ratings, they have the elbow room to circumvent the previously agreed rules and crowbar in whoever they want i.e. Bradford most probs, who wouldn't get there based on any other metric.
There seemed to be a couple of SL Chairmen coming out in defence of Catalans this week, I wonder if their place is under threat.
Obviously not, as they've announced their home game with Wigan is in Paris in June 2026
Paulie xx
Fair enough but, June 2026 is 11 months off. That's time for the RL to change the rules 7 times.
There will be a lot of bull-dust raised before the 'approved' selection of clubs is made. Some will be honest appraisal and the rest a big fiddle. The IMG ratings are for the birds the real decisions will be made outside the public gaze and most clubs realise it.
What is important to us is what will happen to the clubs that have spent big and been overlooked? Will they stay and go again?
Our six year plan is realistic, sad that some supporters can't count and expect six years to pass in 12months. The moves made to encourage the town's small firms to climb aboard are the evidence that our Board's aims are serious and deserve our backing. Good to see Rolty back onside!
The real, long term, problem for our game is that the master fiddler is back in charge at the top of the SL/RFL and we can never be assured of an honest appraisal.
Just how McManus, Leneghan and Co are going to react is yet to be seen but they were adamant that they would not continue to inject millions into clubs on an annual basis. We can now add to that question and wonder how far the likes of Oldham's piggy bank will stretch.
At the end of the day it will all depend on the Sky contract, or a better alternative, and the massive changes in sport outside RL will make that negotiation very interesting.
Just like IMG and all the other previously poorly thought out changes, which were trumpeted "as the best thing since sliced bread, this latest weird and vague proposal will soon become "stale bread"!
its not that fans can't count,they just see the second division league table with Widnes in ninth position.Six year plans are all well and good but the bottom line is results and performances.That's all that matters to the average Joe.Our six year plan is realistic, sad that some supporters can't count and expect six years to pass in 12months.
Isn't rugby league just great in this country.
We have a European Super League, but there is a question mark over whether that should include any French team (or maybe one, Nigel's not made up his mind).
We have introduced a "ground breaking" grading system to improve the profile of the game, by ensuring that clubs meet a quality standard before they can gain access to the top league. Oh hang on. if that doesn't favour a particular team, we just might have to bend the rules, but just a little! Nigel is thinking about that one and will let you know.
We have concerns from some big club donors about the future funding of the game. With Sky money reducing and costs increasing, they are being called on to find more money to meet the annual financial deficit, currently running at around £1m or more a year. Don't worry, Nigel has a plan. Let's increase the SL to 14 and spread the Sky money even thinner amongst the SL teams. Has he thought that through? But no matter, he is still thinking about which teams will be promoted and having wet dreams at the thought of the once mighty Bradford getting into the top flight again and re-living their glory years. Meeting the mighty Wigan on their sub-standard Odsal Stadium and playing on a pitch that barely meets league standards. That is until they go bust again. I bet he is thinking about where he can find a few million pounds to keep the club afloat. Never mind Nigel thinks he can address that after he is given the freedom of Bradford and maybe even a Knighthood.
His mate, the Leopard man is behind him all the way. Don't worry Nigel, when the Sky money dries up, it's not a problem, us millionaires will keep the game afloat, he says, whilst looking around him and seeing he is on his own. Are you a millionaire Nige?
Coming towards the end of the season, with Championship and League 1 Clubs looking to the play-offs and a chance of promotion, for League 1 clubs, and now maybe automatic promotion to SL for the Championship Grand Final winner. Hang on a minute, Nigel is still thinking about that one too. Thinking about how he can possibly make his dreams come true. We need a fairer system he thinks, one that fulfils my dreams, so the Grand Final Winner may have the honour of playing in the Championship next year, There that should shut up my critics, he thinks.
He also has a great plan for those remaining Clubs in League 1. I will promote them all to the Championship. They will surely now support my bid for a Knighthood, he thinks - Lord Nige of Odsal sounds good. He sees himself kneeling before King Kevin Sinfield. Be careful with that sword Kev.
He is not sure how many teams will survive with no central funding for the Championship or how it will work in 2026, but it really doesn't matter, he thinks, we need as much as we can get in our super duper league and I am sure the rugby league world is fully behind me and want to make sure my dream comes true.
Hang on, is that the NRL suggesting a World League. Why are they talking to Wigan and not me? Must call my mate Leopard Man. We we must have a plan to ensure our teams get in this World League and he dreams on with a smile on his face, as the rugby league game here collapses around him zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
There will be a lot of bull-dust raised before the 'approved' selection of clubs is made. Some will be honest appraisal and the rest a big fiddle. The IMG ratings are for the birds the real decisions will be made outside the public gaze and most clubs realise it.
What is important to us is what will happen to the clubs that have spent big and been overlooked? Will they stay and go again?
Our six year plan is realistic, sad that some supporters can't count and expect six years to pass in 12months. The moves made to encourage the town's small firms to climb aboard are the evidence that our Board's aims are serious and deserve our backing. Good to see Rolty back onside!
The real, long term, problem for our game is that the master fiddler is back in charge at the top of the SL/RFL and we can never be assured of an honest appraisal.
Just how McManus, Leneghan and Co are going to react is yet to be seen but they were adamant that they would not continue to inject millions into clubs on an annual basis. We can now add to that question and wonder how far the likes of Oldham's piggy bank will stretch.
At the end of the day it will all depend on the Sky contract, or a better alternative, and the massive changes in sport outside RL will make that negotiation very interesting.
In fairness to Lenaghan, he left Wigan back in 2023.
At the moment Widnes are carrying on with the IMG status quo. But, is it worth bothering, if Big Nige is pulling up the drawbridge? I suppose if an announcement is made re SL/IMG (future P&R) then the Club might as well keep doing what they're doing, for now, and keep their powder dry. As AC said, the extra 2 teams coming into SL hinders potential recruitment, as fringe players at all clubs will be trying to 'geg in', where now they are not getting game, and may have dropped to the Championship.
It's a mess
Paulie xx
Allegedly Sky aren't happy as the extra teams will cost them circa £500k.
What a genius set of decisions!
Allegedly Sky aren't happy as the extra teams will cost them circa £500k.
What a genius set of decisions!
Genius I can see teams over spending and offering contracts to players for Super league already then Sky pull the plug one day. There would be a few teams who would struggle without Sky money. It is like a circus and rules will change again in the next few years. 😂👍
What an absolute farce RL is in this country. How can those in control of the game decide to change the SL and championship set up with three quarters of the season gone. It stinks of corruption and certain people in control manipulating the game for their and certain clubs own gain.
I actually despise the RFL in this country and hope SL eventually collapses.
I will continue to watch Widnes and support them as best as I can but couldn’t care less about the SL and its self centred clubs.
To be honest this is the worst scenario - ok expand SL but stick within the ‘rules’ - IMG ratings
also there could be 3 new teams in SL next season and they will be informed when - October ?
where do they get the extra players they will need to compete or will it be the farce like hull did and shudds did regularly
also just thought shudds could be under threat as well !
could be 4 new teams
you could not make this up, we just sit as we are and watch it all collapse again and we go back to 2 divisions with pr - that’s if enough teams are left by then !
Other than having Nigel pushing their case, what have Bradford really got to offer. A crowd average of about 3,400 in a stadium with a 26,000 capacity, a sub-standard ground and a recent record of financial instability. Is Nigel putting his RFL pay-off into the Club?
The way Rugby League is run has become a total joke with constant changes mainly to accommodate a few Clubs. In any other sport, would they change the rules mid-season to render redundant planned end of season play-offs and no idea how the game is to be run in 2026 below SL. Having said that, I don't believe that RFL has any interest in the game below SL.
Sandgroper is right, any increased SL funding to accommodate the additional two Cubs in SL will come from the Championship and the rest of the game. My guess is that the next change will come when Clubs in the Championship and SL go bust.
Having promoted SL as a European League, with one French team, this seems to be now changing, with a move to keep Toulouse out even if they win the Championship play-offs. How long will Catalans last? This possibly to accommodate a team with a history of failure and crowds of a few hundred.
Having adopted the IMG grading system, which to be fair does encourage clubs to aim to meet minimum standards, the RFL in their wisdom are now abandoning that to pick the additional two Clubs to join SL in 2026. This does have a stench of corruption about it. They should either stick to the grading system for 2025 or revert to a play-off system to determine which Clubs go into SL.
Of course, Widnes have to make a bid for a SL place, but the way the game is going it could be a poison chalice with another financial meltdown coming in the short-term.
The game has become a total farce.
Maybe Widnes would have buggered up the Masterplan, as of now they are extremely close to the top 14 clubs under IMG ratings. I won't say exactly where in case the Club haven't mentioned it to the general public, though it may have been mentioned at Viking Voice last night. That may have engineered the change of tact by Nigel 'Wide Pipe' yesterday, to enable his beloved Bulls, York & Salford to remain. Also why have Wigan abstained from the vote? It appears they are running with the hare and the hounds.
Paulie xx
How do Widnes know they are close to the top 14? And how? I get that Widnes will improve on their score from last year by more than others, but hard to see just how they can make up the 4 points they were behind London (14th and above York and Bradford!), 5 clear points they were behind Toulouse (who were 13th).
One of the main attractions of rugby league was its simplicity.
It was easy to watch and easy to explain. Everybody understood it.
Today we have none of that. Its all smoke and mirrors now. Or maybe even 'The Emperor's New Clothes'
I look at it this way.
Try and explain the virtues of modern day rugby league to anybody who doesn't watch or follow the game, and the answer back is always the same - "Sorry, but that makes no sense at all"
One of the main attractions of rugby league was its simplicity.
It was easy to watch and easy to explain. Everybody understood it.
Today we have none of that. Its all smoke and mirrors now. Or maybe even 'The Emperor's New Clothes'
I look at it this way.
Try and explain the virtues of modern day rugby league to anybody who doesn't watch or follow the game, and the answer back is always the same - "Sorry, but that makes no sense at all"
Tells you all you need to know really.