|
|
Post by reddevil89 on Dec 14, 2020 13:21:13 GMT
Ah well, don't know much about Levi, but if he right for us and super league that'll do
|
|
|
|
Post by Suedehead on Dec 14, 2020 13:21:20 GMT
Wouldn’t have liked...
|
|
|
|
Post by salford1961 on Dec 14, 2020 14:59:52 GMT
Me too. I was certain it was going to be Bradford. Maybe the tribunal was independent after all. Leigh from a short term competitive team for next year does make sense. Hopefully we'll all be in the ground to welcome Junior back next year.  |
|
|
|
Post by kilop on Dec 14, 2020 15:01:15 GMT
Very disappointed with the decision today and feel like this is another step backwards for the game.
I am completely baffled by the disjointed strategy of the RFL and how it wants to progress the game.
If we are all being honest then we know that Rugby League is a dying game and needs some really forward thinking plans in place to drag it forward and get it on the front foot.
Yet when given the opportunity, rather than doing a measured foot forward and doing anything innovative the RFL go mental and put a team like Toronto in SL which obviously failed!!!
They then have an opportunity to put a strategic team like London or even better Toulouse in, both of which are areas with a background in RL (unlike Toronto) and both with an amateur scene in place and what do they do?
They turn inwards again and go back to another M62 team which means another player drain on already thin resources in the M62 player pool.
Ive nothing against Leigh and from a selfish perspective at least its a derby, but I cannot for the life of me see how Leigh have go the nod ahead of Toulouse.
Either way its all a bit immaterial as the decisions been made so late in the day now that most players are already tied up for next year so they will struggle to pull together a squad capable of not finishing bottom and therefore being related!! Once again shortsightedness by the RFL as whoever it was should have been given with the provision that they can't be related for a year.
|
|
|
|
Post by JJR on Dec 14, 2020 15:11:02 GMT
With the money they'll have it's a v hard grind for them next year.
I was shocked, but on listening to the announcement they clearly said it was a unanimous agreement and it is 'team best able to compete in SL next year'. Presumably Leigh have the strongest squad which will probably hold up until mid season.
So it was about delivery next year, not potential which is better for the other teams.
London moving to a new stadium with Wimbledon, might have their day in a few years time if they can grow the crowds
France, be good to have a solid French League where Catalan and Toulouse can compete.
Featherstone should combine with Cas or Wakefield; too many teams in such a small area
Seems as though Leigh are effectively stop gaps but we'll see how the cookie crumbles.
|
|
|
|
Post by earlybath on Dec 14, 2020 15:13:44 GMT
Agree with most on here - very weak response to the expansionists.
Lets hope we can retain Inu & possibly Rowley.
|
|
|
|
Post by gadger on Dec 14, 2020 15:46:19 GMT
Inu would definitely go well there, not sure Rowley would go back
Toulouse would've been the ideal, but I’m not sure how Covid has affected them, plus there’s no guarantee that will be over next March. Feel for London, they were next best for me, but as has been said it does sound like it was a truly independent decision so can’t really complain. Be good to see Junior back.
|
|
|
|
Post by Carnster on Dec 14, 2020 15:51:19 GMT
Next season is about consolidation.
Our game was thrown into the creek with Toronto pulling out, then Covid, then furlough. The competition was already in a precarious position before that. We just managed to scrape through the contractual requirements from SKY. It's all very well talking of expansion and trans-atlantic teams, EU teams etc but even the die hard expansionists have to see that SL needs a season or two to get back on its feet before it can start casting an eye elsewhere. Expansion takes time, effort, and money. At the moment no expansionist team has all three and it would be chancing another repeat of the Toronto farce at some point in the future. Where would that leave SL once again? We have to be realistic. We have a great product and it's great because of where its come from as well as where it wants to go. Yes we are a parochial sport. But we're a parochial sport that birthed the NRL, and become the National sport of PNG. We have a rich history in the south of France, and our showcase excitement, athleticism, and envied sportsmanship was born out of decisions and hard work of those Lancashire and Yorkshire men and women that have helped make it what it is today.
It seems that too many RL fans forget their sporting history or seem to be embarrassed of our working northern roots. We can get to where we want to be as a sport, but we wont get there by abandoning everything that makes RL what it is. Expansion can still happen. The door isn't closed and that's the end of it. Let's just hold onto what we have this season coming, take a breath, then look to the future.
|
|
|
|
Post by kreuzbergred on Dec 14, 2020 16:13:21 GMT
I'm guessing that If the Magic Weekend Goes ahead It'll end up Salford v Leigh
Wonder if they'll try and decapitate one of our players again as in 2017 Adam Higson On Gareth O'brien !?!?
|
|
|
|
Post by dixon13 on Dec 14, 2020 17:06:22 GMT
Their was a process put in place,their was a criteria,and an independent panel I saw the names on the panel and what walk of life they came from.So knowing that I am prepared to believe it was kosher.
In this mornings Daily Mirror their was an article about this,the journalist gave the pros and cons for each club.Looking at that I would have had to pick Leigh,if the main criteria had been expansion then the French team would have got it.I know one or two on here did not want Leigh,but it is what it is.But as I have said I do believe it was fair.
|
|
|
|
Post by bonitared on Dec 14, 2020 19:04:05 GMT
Seems like a fair process based on the criteria.
It’s difficult to imagine anything less imaginative and it’s so backward looking.
To add another M62 club is bollocks.
No problem with Leigh and their history but the RFL clearly don’t do expansion,or tried it once and didn’t much like it.
Certainly,Elstone now as much use as a chocolate teapot going forward.
A single saving grace from my half empty glass,at least Bratford will have to qualify on merit
|
|
|
|
Post by JJR on Dec 14, 2020 19:29:29 GMT
As was indicated in the announcement the choice was about......''which Club is best able to compete in SL next year"...which is probably right st this time
So it seems it's only about making SL competitive in 2021. It's a really hard task for Leigh to stay up with the reduction in resource for them and the small no of SL standard players still around. In fact as I said earlier it's a bit of a poison chalice. Clubs like London and Toulouse have chance to build for the year after; Leigh have to do something v special next season, but I'd love them to stay up and either KR or Wakefield, to drop out.
In my view Toulouse and London will have their day, but in a more stable situation.
|
|
|
|
Post by redunderthebed on Dec 15, 2020 1:49:34 GMT
I’m not on in the least bit surprised. It was only ever going to be leigh or Bradford. The most important criteria were short term ones about number of away fans and being competitive in 2021.
Beaumont refused to pay his players 3 years ago cos they got relegated but now it’s cool. I’ve seen ‘Toronto pull out, then covid, then furlough’ a few times today. Interesting. Toronto didn’t pull out until after covid and furlough. £200k was what TWP asked SL for to get through. They were told no but SL are m happy to give Beaumont a million quid to provide a few away fans and to stop one of the other 11 being relegated
Whatever floats your boat I guess but to pretend that Leigh offer more commercially (number 1 on criteria) than Toronto, London, Toulouse or York is laughable
|
|
|
|
Post by chief on Dec 15, 2020 9:12:55 GMT
Well, my money was on Bradford.
Leigh kind of makes sense in the short term above the other candidates. Expansion is on the back burner for the next couple of years I think.
|
|
|
|
Post by JJR on Dec 15, 2020 17:24:14 GMT
Interesting now Leigh looking for Assistant Coach, Conditioner, back room staff, higher level players.
They now have to fulfil their promises. I hope their bidding doc really was factual and not hot air with Beaumont potentially doing a runner again near end of season.
Really is make or break for them. Go down and they'll lose 4 years.
I really think the best way was to lose this contest for a SL place and consolidate in 2021. Good luck London and Toulouse for 2021 promotion; to me the other 3 won't make it for a while.
|
|
