I thought the same about calling it a 'reward'. It is anything but a reward. Making the final of what is (finally)becoming seen as an important competition into some light pre-match entertainment for the CC final is NOT a reward!!!

It is a decent idea, worthy of consideration and debate, and Miller made a number of good points to justify it. I'm sure the players would like to say they had played at Wembley. At least, that is the attitude of lower grade Australian players, which is why the NRL Grand Final is preceded by the NRL Under 20s Grand Final, the NSW Cup Grand Final and the Bundaberg Red Cup Grand Final (Sydney Metropolitan Cup). Supporters here like the fact you can watch a number of games and receive a comprehensive program of pre-match entertainment, there are more facets to the NRL Grand Final day as an event than the Challenge Cup final. Furthermore, even as a curtain raiser, the crowd could still be bigger that they'd get at Blackpool.

Given the arguments some have posted above, an alternative could be to hold the NRC final at The Stoop on the same weekend as the Challenge Cup final, and hold the Championship and Championship 1 Grand Finals at Blackpool instead.

I'm undecided regarding this, it devalues the competition a bit but then it gives smaller clubs like Keighley and Batley to play at Wembley, something practically impossible for clubs like these to achieve in an era of salary caps and franchising.

we need as many 'event' days as we can.test matches,cup finals etc.we are building up the national rail cup into a big event in the calendar so to share it with the challenge cup would serve no purpose at all.also,2 different broadcasters and sponsors.its a non starter.im sure there used to be a match played at wembley before the cup final anyway,did hkr play hunslet once in 96 or 97.if it was successfull we would still be doing it.

Although Bloomfield road is an improving stadium, and will be a better stadium when the fc club have finished with it, it still won't look full for the Cougars v Bulldogs final this year!!!