Bradford/Halifax wouldn’t really make sense. Halifax aren’t really cannibalising Bradfords market, those two clubs aren’t (however much Fax fans hate it) competing with each other. The game has left Halifax behind.

Wakefield/Cas/Fev is a little different. They are in such close proximity, and Cas and Wakefield are competing with each other for fans. They have proved for about 40 years that the WMD cannot support 2 clubs challenging at the top end never mind three. They have a choice, either merge or slowly die. Two struggling clubs, possibly playing out of one stadium would just be stupid.

The ‘tribalism’ is a bit of a red-herring in my opinion. Its one of those things people would be passionately against until it had happened. If they did merge, within 5-10 years people wouldn’t even remember. Not to mention that Wakefield/Cas/Fev combined only attract about 15k regulars combined, there are 350k people in that district to go at.

No, sorry, im looking at it from the other side. How much would Salford have to spend on marketing to get the same impact/benefit that they would from signing a true rugby superstar?

no matter what your job is if someone offers to double your wage and add a better working environment then you're bound to be tempted
i'd much rather see kallum go to the nrl than be poached by the union set up as at least then the national team might benefit

Two 10 team divisions in SL would in effect just be a reduction of SL to 10 teams. SL 2 would be seen as Division 2 just like the championship is now. How would it increase clubs incomes? It's just re-arranging the deckchairs IMO.

Next man up.

I view this as the NRL taking the place of Rugby Unions a few years ago, but better as the players are still available for international selection. Iestyn Harris, Henry Paul, Andy Farrell, Jason Robinson, Kyle Eastmond all left. They were replaced from within the game.

I'd love to continue to watch Watkins mature into the world class centre I hope he can be at leeds but fully understand if he went down under. There will be another Kallum Watkins, just as Kallum was another Chev Walker. Only, in Kallum's case his talents won't be wasted and his international league career won't stagnate.

The solution is, if a solution is needed, is not to allow irresponsible club chairmen to throw more money than they have into the pockets of a small pool of players. Do people not realise that Watkins was reared within a system operated by one of the most frugal chairmen in the game? Money is not the answer.

Nor is tinkering, yet again, with the number of clubs. Dropping a club or adding a club doesn't magically produce more players and coaches at grassroots level. It's cosmetic, nothing more.

Thing is you'd need plenty in the budget to launch a hybrid club in an area like Wakefield. If people would jump on the bandwagon after 5-10 years you'd still have a period when people stayed away out of principle. The danger is them losing interest altogether. To develop an all new fan base would take time and money. Where does the money come from? This is all assuming the hybrid club takes off. If it doesn't then where does that leave us? It seems a bit of a gamble.



The Bulls got a 3 fold increase in attendences at the beginning of SL from spending on marketing rather than just player recruitment. I guess it depends on how good your marketing is.



What we really need is an upturn in the economy over here. The knock on effect would solve a lot of problems in the game. Trouble is I can't see any sign of recovery anywhere.

Most of the criticism we hear against SL (and it is overblown in my opinion even if it does have some validity) is that the player pool is too small, that reduces the intensity of SL, reduces the quality of the product, and that this is a cycle where the low intensity games means players like Watkins stagnate and don’t meet their potential

As I say I think this criticism of the league is over blown, but I do think it has some validity, so when people say we can afford to lose a player like Watkins and we will replace him, I think how can we afford to lose Watkins when the league is filled with players inferior to him already?

It’s the same with Eastmond, yeah when Eastmond left St Helens looked to Gaskill, another good young half, but the league is still filled with some pretty average, halfbacks and some pretty average oversease ones. Can we say we have replaced Eastmond, as a league, whilst Jarrod Sammut still has a contract?

Anymore of a gamble trying to change three failing clubs to three successful ones? With WMD I think it is a bit moot. If in a couple of years Wakefield have a new stadium and a bit of success, we would likely see them go from strength to strength where Cas and Fev will fade away in their shadow.
They had a pretty good team to start with though and often the marketing is on the back of those players who were built up. Players like Robbie Paul and Lowes a the very beginning, then Vaikona and Henry Paul, before Hape and Big Les.

Probably so.

Really hope this turns out not to be true, but if it does then have any of u any idea on realistic replacements ?? Is this why Leeds are rumoured to be interested in Kieron Dixon ? ( not saying he's Watkins class just going on the rumour ) and also widdop can play centre I think, he's out of contract at the end of the year ?? Big risk I know but what would u think ?? Anyone else anyone can think of ?

Really hope this turns out not to be true, but if it does then have any of u any idea on realistic replacements ?? Is this why Leeds are rumoured to be interested in Kieron Dixon ? ( not saying he's Watkins class just going on the rumour ) and also widdop can play centre I think, he's out of contract at the end of the year ?? Big risk I know but what would u think ?? Anyone else anyone can think of ?

Hope this isn't true but if it is who do we replace him with ?? Someone correct me if I'm wrong but wernt storm considering moving widdop to centre last year before they got junior Sau ?? Widdop is out of contract at the end of the year should we consider it ?? Also at the end of the grand final last year GH said they had tried to sign him, cover for halfs and full back aswell

Hope this isn't true but if it is who do we replace him with ?? Someone correct me if I'm wrong but wernt storm considering moving widdop to centre last year before they got junior Sau ?? Widdop is out of contract at the end of the year should we consider it ?? Also at the end of the grand final last year GH said they had tried to sign him, cover for halfs and full back aswell

Hope this isn't true but if it is who do we replace him with ?? Someone correct me if I'm wrong but wernt storm considering moving widdop to centre last year before they got junior Sau ?? Widdop is out of contract at the end of the year should we consider it ?? Also at the end of the grand final last year GH said they had tried to sign him, cover for halfs and full back aswell

Hope this isn't true but if it is who do we replace him with ?? Someone correct me if I'm wrong but wernt storm considering moving widdop to centre last year before they got junior Sau ?? Widdop is out of contract at the end of the year should we consider it ?? Also at the end of the grand final last year GH said they had tried to sign him, cover for halfs and full back aswell

Wanna post any more mate?

Whilst it would be a sad day, I think we will see some of our younger guys from SuperLeague head across to Aus. See how the Burgess brothers have made an impact and improvement at South Sydney, they have created with the likes of Ellis a interest in our talent.

As dor a spot, I would like to see keinhorst get a solid run of games under his belt so he gets a fair crack. He was good and showed potential last year playing with Hall, then all he gets this year is 2 games on the wing, one he terrible conditions and little offerings from his which was actually Watkins then Ablett I believe.

Whatever happens I dont think Gary Hetherington will just say ok you can go with our best wishes.Its not a Bedsy scenario,Its a highly regarded young player who has only recently signed a longterm contract.Remember Chris Caisley,Bradford Bulls and a certain Mr Iestyn Harris?

I am surprised our Aussie cousins have not attempted to sign Ryan Hall,he is the finished product and would slot into any Aussie team. The big plus factor with any top player is his appearance record without any major injuries ,Ryan obviously comes out top in that department . Whilst I would hate Watkins to leave, if we got the right kind of money for him I would not see it be coming a problem. Perhaps a part exchange deal could be beneficial .

Have to agree but with the money the NRL are offering and the lifestyle can you blame them? I would be gutted if Kallum went he is a great young player with bundles of talent.

Leaving the money aspect aside, I wouldn't blame anyone in their position looking to the NRL just for the experience and potential for making large improvements to their game under quality coaches.

I'm with G1 on this in terms of what to do about it. You call up the next player and give him the shirt - what alternative is there?

Dixon doesn't even play in the same position let alone quality replacement. And if we cannot keep hold of Watkins cannot see widdop coming to SL

Couldn't see anyone of any quality wanting to come to SL. For me if he goes might as well be for a large wedge of cash and give the shirt to the next man. He won't be the first or last to be tempted, can see alot of our you g talent going to Aus

As in life there is always a deal of some sort or another,

Just to add these aussie teams also have their own Acadamys and they aren't too shabby either so i don't expect them to be here year after year throwing big $$$$$$ at all the english prospects.

Sorry should have said I doubt there would be an part ex player of quality offered

I think they certainly will be here year after year taking the cream of the crop, or at least trying to