You should send that suggestion in to Nigel Wood. Hopefully he wouldn't take it seriously and actually use it but maybe it might actually strike a chord and encourage him to realise what a laughing stock he is turning a once-proud sport into.

2013 had the potential to be a turning point year for the RFL with the opportunities the RLWC can provide. I have lots of confidence that the team charged with running the tournament are doing a good job - but the core RFL seem hellbent on cancelling out the benefits it will provide by busily ruining SL, youth development, the Championships and now the Challenge Cup too.

10/10

Nothing better than Susanna grabbing balls, first thing in the morning.

I'm off for a lie-down, now.
Time too think about Ann Widdecombe. All the blood's rushed from my head.

Ian - you've too much time on your hands !

What could be simpler than televising two games over the weekend with the televised Sunday game finishing at the same time, or slightly later, than the other games. They could then perform the draw live in the studio and get reasoned and sensible contributions from the studio guests and maybe the winning coach and players too.

[size=85Even the RFL could cope with warming or cooling the appropriate balls at short notice[/size



Of course that kind of falls down if you 'sell' the second game to Sky who see the Challenge Cup as so second rate that they can't be bothered televising a match!

Although, the RFL can't make the BBC screen a 2nd game, nor can they force them to extend the programme to screen the draw. What the RFL could do is ensure the game is popular enough to encourage the BBC to want to. But it seems we are now in a vicious circle - declining popularity leading to declining interest from media leading to declining popularity. Going to take vision and leadership to pull RL out of this mess, not qualities in abundance at the RFL, sadly.

seems simple enough

What a mess at every level of the game, SL, academy, amateur and junior.

You should see the genius idea about the mini game. You couldn't make it up.

i wouldn't be surprised if this game isn't running in ten years, we're going to implode.

We'll innovate ourselves to death.

This is getting silly now.

RFL just Tweeted:

We're pleased to confirm that the Tetley's Challenge Cup QF Draw will take place live on BBC Breakfast TV on Saturday, between 7-9 am.

2 hour time slot and we have waited 2 days for that joke idiots from one stupid decision to another

Unbelievable.

Is this really the best we can do.

Why the obsession with a national tv draw, just f-----g do it after the last match of the round, i don't care if they do the draw in The Rodney with a pee'd up Andy Gregory out of Tanya Arnold's jock strap.

I agree with this, I don't think people who aren't RL fans are going to be watching TV/listening to the radio, see/hear the draw and think "I might go and watch that!".

...especially as the next round of games isn't for two months!!!

Ive not Watched Saturday morning Telly for a while will it be Live on Tiswas and willl Bob Carolgees and spit the dog be doing the draw....

I wish! Bloody hell Sally James....

Bad news for lofty, Susanna doesn't work weekends.

Shsh. Don't give them any ideas.

So the draw's on Saturday between 7 and 9. What idiot decided on that.

I think the draw on national TV is a good idea. You want to expose what's going on in our game to as many people as possible. But if we can't, then the next best idea would be to do the draw on North West/Yorkshire local Tele or even the radio.

The thing is though, it should be consistent. Either after the matches on Sunday or probably better, on a Monday Evening. Do that for every round and everyone knows where they stand.

To have the last round's draw, midday on a Monday afternoon on National Radio. Presented by someone who has no interest in the sport and turns it into a laughing stock, to this round, presented by god knows who, at god knows what time on a Saturday morning. Who is coming up with this?

What next? The semi final draw done at 4am on a Thursday morning on North Norfolk Digital Radio. Saying that, Partridge would fit right in but he doesn't work the early shift any more.

The only reason its got a slot on Breakfast TV on Saturday is because the BBC have moved to media city at Salford Keys and there's less to report on up North. If it was based in London there would have been no chance. Hats off to the RFL for spotting this chance

lofty?????

LOFTY?????

It's not It Ain't Half Hpt, Mum......


bloody lofty........

David Davies (sports presenter and long time anchor on the FA Cup draws) taking the mickey out of the last draw on the BBC news channel.....

"make sure you have the right number of balls"
"make sure you can tell the difference between 6 and 9"...to which it was pointed out "there is no 9.......but 1 and 7 look very similar"

Its huddersfield AT home

Will take that. What is the rest of the draw like?