On sky sports site superleague to be cut down to 12 clubs after this season and then it splits into 3 leagues of 8

IF that's true, then who's the broadcaster for the 2nd tier? (I'm still not convinced that the licencing system has failed - i'd say the current malaise is more down to the silly level of the salary cap, but... ho hum)

talk about the most idiotic idea ever. I really hope to see a notice on the warriors site tomorrow saying we are looking at other options rather than partake in super league 2014.

hmmm, perhaps we could team up with the Welsh RU & form a 3rd code

I'm completely flummoxed, and don't know what to think..

i predict another new format within 3 years

You could have Wigan Worriers , Wigan St Judes , Wigan St Pats , St Cuthberts , and Rose Bridge , all in the same Super League





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Or Ian (Im taking my ball home , if you don't play to my rules )Leneghan might stage another walk out .

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Having not really read too much into all this, does anybody know the positives the rfl are hoping to get out of this restructuring of the game? Is it aimed more at improving the standards of the lower clubs in superleague and the championship clubs? I cant see how its its going to better for anyone else in superleague.

is it not just that? to try & bring the "lower" clubs up to a level & widen the playing (and thus supporter) base? but it simply will not work if the 2nd tier isn't given a comparable level of dosh as the 1st - they just won't be able to afford it.
the devil is [ireally [/iin the detail with this.
(and weren't we supposed to be getting sponsor details this aft as well?)

they believe that with this structure the championship clubs attendances will increase thus giving them more revenue. Point prove majority of super league club fans ed off and championship fans happy. Whats bad for the super league is good for the championship it seems.

Would love to know how this effects funding. I think this is just going to end up like a 2nd challenge cup but could put clubs out of business if they get relegated.

In theory I think the system gives a good balance between not rewarding mediocrity at the top whilst still giving teams at the bottom something to play for. One up one down P+R between a FT professional league and a semi-pro league will never work and I'm glad we've not reverted to that. I'll reserve full judgement until all the details have been announced though.

An already poorly supported London, Salford, Huddersfield, Wakefield etc, could end up with tiny crowds if they end up playing Barrow, Whitehaven etc.

Reading barwicks comments on ssn this split only happens for the play offs... top 8 as normal then the bottom 4 in superleague play top 4 in championship..as others have said though be interesting to read how funding is going to be affected.

So talk about meaningless games, what happens with the 3rd tier of 8 after the split? What do they have to play for?!

More interesting how they will decide which 2 to go down. If its a basic bottom 2 go then its bye bye London and Wakey for me next season. Given if Sky wants London guaranteed in it then do they go the route of franchise tendering. Which again will see Wakey and London could goor Bradford for not been sustainable compared to others.

Either way interesting times ahead. Agree with 12 teams though the standard has dropped but the structure does not answer the games biggest failings and thats marketing.

So 12 teams start SL, then 8 of them make the play offs? Surely that can't be it, even the RFL aren't that bad

Thats how i read it.. 12 in superleague, 12 in championship then for the play offs they split into the 3 groups of 8

They have a cup competition

The top 8 isn't like it is now.
The points from the league are carried into the second part of the season, in a round robin type deal, then the top 4 from that go into the playoffs. So basically it's much harder to win the league from 5-8th

The Mickey Mouse Challenge Cup.

What worries me is those in danger of dropping into the bottom 4 with the possibility of relegation, will panic buy aging Australians from the NSW cup etc.

We will end up wasting resources we don't have, just like when we originally took the sky money in 95. It's come full circle and We don't have resources to waste.

Pretty much, yep. But then what do the bottom clubs in the championship usually have to play for?

To avoid relegation into third tier.

So nothing has changed then.