I've watched most of the games on Sky this season(admittedly we are still early season) and been uninspired by whats on offer. Has the game lost its 'sparkle'?

What's happened to the game??

Have you not been watching the last couple of seasons?

Seth- Thinking about it you raise a valid point. I haven't been watching as much as I used to.

Most seasons start of the same its called winter blues it will take of soon stick with it

It's been a while since we've had a thread complaining about the game

Interesting thread. At first I thought here's another whinger but there is a point if you have been watching on TV, the game is hyped up so much that when a bang average or poor game happens we feel cheated as the commentators are trying to tell that we are watching is special. Just please cut out the hype. I tend only to watch the odd game involving my team now as sky coverage is so bad, I prefer live games of any level. You just can't beat being in a crowd for the atmosphere it generates of for a chat with like minded folk. TV has always been second best IMO.

I agree with you you can not beat been at the game but some one like me can not get there so tv has to do

Very few games are entertaining if your a neutral fan.
Especially at this time of year there's a lot of error strewn games while players are getting back into the rhythm.

Nailed it!

The game lost its sparkle about 7 years ago, when some of our best players migrated to the NRL and nothing significant came over here to raise the standard of Superleague.

I understand why he's ex changes have happened, but for me, the removal of shoulder charges, punching and brawls has had a massive impact on the theatre of the game.
The best games and atmospheres I've ever known have been the ones where there's some malice, hatred and gladiatorial stuff happening on the pitch - you just can't replace the feeling that type of thing brings.
Again; I get why things have changed, but I do feel it hasn't put off a large number of die hard fans - that stuff was part of the fabric of the game. Go toe to toe, man on man, and do whatever is required to beat your man, then have a pint together afterwards - we've lost some of that.
There's a balance needed, as there's no place for cheap shots and out and out thuggery (Les Davidson style), but for me, the game would be more entertaining if the players were able to hand out some immediate retribution for anything untowards and we could have some fireworks.

You obviously weren't at Odsal last Sunday for the Bulls v Cougars derby "friendly". 5 cards (4 of them red) etc. Warmed us up!

Apart from the Rovers v Catalan game, I've enjoyed most of them to be honest, and commentary turned down

Hadn't even heard about that... what happened? And more importantly - did it make for good entertainment?

Although it hurts to admit this, Cas had plenty of sparkle last season and the best rule change in recent years, allowing the hitting corner flag and to still be play on, has seen some of the most spectacular scores EVER seen on a rugby field.
It would have been great to see someone like Offiah to have the benefit.
Granted, we (the British game) are no longer capable of attracting top Aussie and Kiwi players at their peak but, some of the attacking play in the modern era beats any of the stuff from yesteryear.

This I think proves my point, to me the KR Catalan game was great as Rovers are my
team. I assume most people like me have little connection to the sides in most TV games not involving our clubs. I have got rid of sky & only use now TV for the games I am interested in. I won't get to any Rovers games now as they insist on playing Friday evenings or Thursday. They don't kick off until a time I am getting ready for bed or at least at home. I get my fill now watching amateur sides or I intend to try the odd Sunday game at York. I would love to take my grand kid to a game but not at eight at night. I have followed my club for over 50 years & it breaks my heart not to go & as I say TV rarely makes up for missing live games, That's how I was introduced to the great game not through TV.

Attacking play is dreadful. Go watch a few videos of Wigan around 1995. To name a few.

I agree and don’t agree with what you have said agree about the Thursday Friday matches because the gates on Sundays are a lot better but with out sky were I now live I would only see rugby league once or twice a year has I now live down south

The first 10 years of Superleague had a decent level of intensity, there was enough quality skillful players for most of the tries to be scored from exciting passing plays.
These days there a lot of tries scored from kicking plays, if hitting the corner flag was not allowed there would be a big reduction in try’s scored. Most of the game would then be 5 drives and a kick add in all the wrestling in the tackle then we have a basic low intensity step start game with lots of rest periods so that players can keep it as a power game.

Would you not attribute much of this to the increase in Aussie coaches and their emphasis on defence.
The game now is all about territory and "coaching by numbers".
As I alluded to in my earlier post Powell at Cas, has a whole different strategy and whilst it unravelled spectacularly in the GF, Cas played some really attractive rugby.
There is always a tendency to remember the good things from the past and believe that things were better than they were.
A previous poster mentioned Wigan of the 90's, a star studded side, that almost bankrupt them and the game.
It's up to the modern day coaches (and players) to find ways to score against better defences and whilst your right that more tries are coming from kick plays.
Although your right about the corner flag ruling possibly increasing kick plays to the corner, the athleticism of todays wingers is stunning and this rule should be kept.

If I remember it was Huddersfield and Wigan who changed the game to what it is today and I think you are right in respect of the Aussie coaching effect.
Huddersfield brought in the kicking game to the wingers and the lying on at the tackle, Wigan brought in the suffocation by taking the wrestle in the tackle to a higher level.
Add in the mix of the officials finding it difficult to judge a loose carry, a ball strip towards a knock on then we have a less entertaining game.
This year I think we might see more of the scooter from dummy half which can create havoc in the regimented defensive line, much better to play expansive rugby to the new supporter than 5 drives and a kick.

I understand as I lived in Dorset for 20 years & had to make do with whatever the BBC had to offer or the odd game when at home on leave, even had to play union. how things have changed now I could play League in the Navy now (instead of getting a life ban for it) But still would prefer an amateur live game to TV.

OK if you were a Wigan fan the rest of us had to put up with a walloping every time they came to town. people forget they were the only really full time team & signed the best players just to stop others having them (then just about bankrupted them). As a fan of League, even two amateur teams put on a good show as long as they are the same standard (poor or good)Only one sided games I like is the odd time its my side handing out a thumping.

Go back to the defences of past eras as well and I'm sure youll see the same attacking prowess emerge.

As fellow Wakey fan as alluded to that Cas were entertaining to watch last season as were Saints/Hull when i saw them on the tv, BUT most of all with total bias i loved watching the Trin throwing the ball around wily nilly last season and with our good wingers it was a joy to watch. This year most of all have had 2 sl games none's really been great but where in FEB, So when the sun finally comes the pitches will dry up making for a more entertaining games







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