When PART of the idea was to encourage expansion of the game then why is it a joke? It is only a small part of the overall thing but one that is vital if we ever want to come close to being considered a national game rather than a small northern game.

I've no problem with expansion, in fact I welcome the day when there is a franchise in Dublin. The fact was that the RFL knew certain clubs had no chance of scoring points here. All the other criteria gave clubs a target to achieve not only for the last franchise but also for future franchises to enable clubs to score points. This did not.

See the crusaders have signed to play at newport from next season now the RFL have sent the new stadium memo.

This was surely always on the cards once they'd appointed David Watkins (ex-Salford but more importantly ex-Newport player) as their Chairman I believe since he's also the Newport RU President or Chairman.
Although the Crusaders do say that they are looking at two sites in or near Bridgend.
I believe they'll eventually do a Leeds and ahve a joint RU/RL operation.
It makes sense to have the ground used for 12 months.