What are people opinions, since Cas and Wakey were religation contenders in 2006 to three years later both contending the play-offs, my opinions is standards are improving year on year.

Improved

I think there are more competitive teams now so in that case the league has improved.
As for producing "international class" players we are still light years behind the antipodeans imo.

I would agree but my feeling is 2009 has been the most competative league I've seen since SL started, so if the competiton continues to be close fought the RLWC2013 will be a good test, all of the leagues youngsters coming through now (Tomkins, Myler, Shenton, Hall, Allen, Mcshane, Moore, Burgess etc...) should be of a world class standard and be able to compete on a world class stage (I hope).

Hopefully mate i should of added "as yet" to the last bit!

I think standards of rugby have declined, which means that the teams are a lot closer. The only exceptions to this are leedss, Saints and Wigan when they click.

Without peeing on your bonfire here, how are you judging standards?

from the winter game we played 14 or so years ago?

They've improved. No question.

Watch a 2004 highlights dvd, some of the games leeds had were embarrasing. Easy easy easy.

The top teams attack with structure and precision now as well, it's not a headless chicken approach.

Judging from the start of Super League (it's in the question on the poll

)

One factor I was looking at was points for vs points against.

Comparing the 2004 season, the last time we topped the league, average points for and against is 37 - 16 and 2009 is 30 - 17.

Win/draw/loss 2004 - 24-2-2
Win/draw/loss 2009 - 21-0-6

Granted there was one more game player in 2004 but it shouldnt effect stats too much.

Another factor was my personal view. I remember 2004 being a season where we walked all over alot of sides scoring 40, 50 and 60 points per game and the sides not putting up any resistance. Where as this season I have enjoyed the standard of rugby on display from both sides. Close wins at HQ vs HKR (not last nights game), Warrington, Wigan, Saints Huddersfield. Losses vs Salford and Quins, granted we were not on top form but salford and quins were and the rugby on display by the visiting sides was top class IMO.

Cracking tight away wins vs Cas, Salford, Warrington and Wakefield where the sides pushed us all the way.

I've enjoyed the regular rounds this season more than any I can remember.