Any news on salary caps and overseas allowances yet?

There needs to be more of a reward for finishing top of the SL

I can see sides sitting back once they are guaranteed a top four spot.

The only incentive for coming top is a home draw.

We may see teams tactically deciding which position to finish in. This is something that has bedevilled the current top 8 system where sides basically coast into the playoffs.

I think it's alright, better than straight P&R anyway.

I don't like the name "Million Pound Game". It makes the sport sound incredibly small time. A million pounds isn't that much in professional sport. Just call it the Super League Decider or something more professional.

The increase in funding will be key for the top Championship clubs.

I like the new League 1 Cup, it gives those clubs something else to aim for and brings another dimension into that league.

I'm 50/50 on the changes to the Challenge Cup, I'd prefer the top clubs to play more Cup games not fewer. But I'll give it time to see how it works.

I'd prefer a top 5/6 playoff system to the 1v4, 2v3.


Re the discussion on licensing, I don't think licensing failed as such. I think it wasn't implemented as it should have been and it was unlucky to come in just at the same time the global economy crashed. Under any system RL would have struggled to increase/maintain crowds & revenue in this period.
I think it needed to be at least 5 year (rather than 3) licences, with in-depth gradings/reviews of every aspect of a club alongside targets for each aspect of each club to be met by the next licence round.
I also think it was a big mistake to add 2 teams to the league. If it had been 12 teams, with a top 6 playoff, I think it would have worked a lot better.

The Championship salary cap will be £1m, I didn't see SL's mentioned but I'd guess it'll stay roughly the same at £1.6m/£1.8m.

Five overseas players for the championship clubs.

Super league will remain at the same level for now at least.

Please please please do not bring bonus points to superleague. Never liked the idea - I don't understand why losers still deserve points, it's like giving the kid who finishes last in the egg and spoon race on sports day a medal for winning in spirit

I agree. I don't mind them for amateur or semi pro leagues. But in pro leagues I don't see the need.

Agreed, but gor a feeling it's coming as RFL been retweeting all those who like bonus points. Hull FC could be in play-offs with BP system.

What is the distribution of central funds for next year?

Overall I like the idea of the new system but I would make a couple of tweeks. Firstly the salary cap would be the same for both divisions. Secondly the magic weekend would be part of the 'super 8' not the weekly rounds.

As has been alluded to, the changes to the structure dont change the basic principles clubs need to attempt to achieve, the stronger financially you can make your club, the more success you will have

For every positive for SL there is a negative for the Championships and visa versa, it all balances out in the end

Or consigned to the dustbin of history, because it's crap.

The idea of the magic weekend element as part of the eight would even out the odd home/away element which is quite neat. Salary cap for both divisions being equal will only happen if money split is same. SL will never vote for it due to losing a % and quite frankly they don't want a level/equal playing field. The fact that semi pro v fully pro games only results in the once in a few years one off beating of a fully pro team, I doubt it will change in the eights. Remember the sketch (paraphrased) I'm lower league, I know my place.

At Edinburgh yes, it's great at the Etihad though. And brings a lot of money into the game.

I've seen a few people comment on how hard it will be getting into the top 4 once the Super 8 is formed if you start in 7th or 8th. One way to remedy this might be to increase the points for a win to 3 once the Super 8 is formed. It would then be slightly easier to close the gap for teams lower down in the 8 if the teams higher up lose a couple of games. Anyone got any other suggestions?

You lot can have as many Aussies as you want.....again !
BUT, you are limited to one signing from Peru.

The thing is how many teams have slacked off going into games this year as they are in a comfort zone. So teams slacking off will not be uncommon.

For example, Next week is Widnes v Hull KR.

So what are the odds Widnes will put out a weakened side as the CC is due the following week and they have a cushion beneath them already???

Whether there was relegation or not, Bradford and London are with several games to go in a position of a lame duck.

Hull had a good performance tonight, but come 4 weeks time may also be in a position where they can no longer make the playoffs.

The new system puts more meaning back into the league fixtures, but in any system there will be redundant fixtures.

As for the difference in salary caps. Do 12 teams pay out 1.8 million currently????

I'd be surprised if they do and the difference between 1.8 million is closed by raising the second tier up to £1 million.

To be critical that they stand little chance under the new system, were as currently they stand no chance, seems somewhat ironic.

There will never be a cure all system. If we had a league of 24 - 28 teams people from both ends would moan, about dilution of the top end and little chance of the bottom end progressing.

What I like is that my team can't sit on it's backside for 50% of the season safe in the knowledge that they are better than 50% of the league and therefore only need to put the effort in for the big games.

Under the current system rightly or wrongly there is the impression that it's not close at the top due to teams competing for top spot, but it's close at the top due to teams not being fussed about finishing top.

I'm happy to see were we are in 3 years and before the profits of doom come out and say it will be a disaster, we don't know that, it's just what you think. No matter how many times you say fact.

The biggest issue that is still not pinned down for me will be season tickets and how clubs go about selling them.

Agreed. 100% agreed.

Bonus points are the most stupid idea since the pizza fork was invented.

I've taken to twitter to register my opposition at the RFL, and it's not very often that I do that. Since twitter is for saddos, unlike RL forums.

Can't believe what I am reading in some posts. Khlav especially gets everything wrong, people not able to work out how many games teams play in a season, people not knowing the rules now and smokey with his usual plays on words

It really is not that difficult at all. It seems our education system has failed a few on here. Either that or they are just stupid

Based on the posts which I read yesterday, I reckon you must need a degree in order to even begin to comprehend test cricket!

Yep, could see the top four all sitting back this year....

At the end of this current round the league points of the top 4 will probably be

34
32
32
30

I think a home fixture is enough of an advantage for having come top. 2nd chance games would be disproportionately favourable.

People on here (hardcore fans) will want to understand it though - you try explaining that to the casual or new fan and they'll glaze over, or look at you like you're off your head! Are they stupid too?

I know about those reactions because I've already tried going through it with a couple of different mates. I understand it, but I bet most on here had to read it through and think about each part of it (I certainly did) and it shouldn't have to be like that IMO.

Way, way too complex - it's too much like hard work for everyone but the serious fan to get to grips with - and is that good for the sport as a whole??

I don't like how there's a different playoff system in each division of 8 either - although I suppose that's the same now (top 8 w/club call; top 8 without; top 5)

One of my best friends, who has watched League all her life summed it up best: "Rugby League. Remember when it used to be simple?"

Let's just hope Bonus Points aren't introduced.

Rewarding losing is not the way forward.

The new structure is as we know actually very simple and will be brilliant for the game in this country.

All supporters don't actually need to get it now, in one go.

As always, just turn and support your team and try to get a win every match.

Once the 2015 season starts to unfold, it will be very clear to all supporters match by match how their club is doing.

What percentage of those who are interested in soccer could explain today how the Champions League will work - from qualifiers to group stages to knock-out, for example. Not many people could - but who cares? It doesn't matter.