OK, so the final is the new Hollywood Blockbuster, and instead of having Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in the starring roles, we now have two actors from Coronation Street.

Certain Corrie actors are very good, but they don't exactly have Brangelina's profile, do they?

So, the question is this. Knowing that, even though they have the two most deserving teams, the final isn't exactly going to be glamorous, or an easy sell. How much harder are the RFL going to have to work to sell this final to the general public, ie NON-RL fans, or are they better off not bothering, and hoping they get two teams next year who are more famous and already in the public conscious?

Discuss.

Can't say it bothers me, to be honest. The most deserving sides are there, as you say. I think people were getting sick of seeing Saints in finals, much as they were with Wigan in the 90s. One thing's for sure - it'll be a well balanced match, very difficult to call, and that may prove to be a draw.

If Wembley has tiers of empty seating, it will certainly be embarrassing for the game. But that'll be down to the two finalists. They'll carry the can for it. No-one else.

The fact there are 2 different teams there will make it sell more.

And your not famous anymore

Wire will take as many as most do. Hudds will take a few extra thousand than they did in 2006. The rest will be filled by RL fans who go regardless of who is there, of which there are many. There will be empty seats, its called club wembley.

None of you are reading.

The question 'seeing as none of the glamour/famous clubs are present in the final, what do the RFL need to do to sell the game to new people?'

NOT how many fans will they take. That question has been done to death.

Talking of the final I'm going for a Giants win, wire beat us because of there superior pack, however they wont have that advantage over Huddersfield and for that reason plus the fact that the Giants defense is superb and there a consistent team I'm backing a Huddersfield win.

Well seeing as they've got about two weeks in which to do it, I don't suppose there's much they can do.

Sounds like someone reads the scum newspaper.

Just as well really, given that we've got Norris and Betty Turpin playing.

Actually, the preceding fortnight is the best time to sell an event in terms of TV, news and press mentions. Why do it months before and give people time to forget?

No, I work with a load of women. Can't avoid talk like that, sadly.

I answered the question by saying they do not need to do anything different as wire and hudds will take enough fans.

Jesus, you've missed the point entirely.

The game is on the BBC, which means there is no excuse not to watch it. Only there is - the two teams taking part are not teams people will have immediately heard of, Huddersfield more than Warrington, certainly.

I'm not on about ticket sales, I'm talking about general awareness of the BIGGEST and most famous fixture in the RL calendar. This will go under the radar if the RFL don't get their act together, mark my words.

The game will sell itself - set up for an absolute classic IMHO.

Yeah it should just be saints v wigan/leeds/bradford every year then









The challenge cup is an event that sells very well to the RL community as a whole and doesn't need to be sold. Think they'll be a lot made about none of the supposed big 4 making it for the first time in 20 odd years.

Funnily enough this is the first time I've not already got tickets as I was fed up of watching saints there and didn't want to go and put up with their crap.

Are we having a sweepstake on how long before they show Colin Welland in the crowd

Yes, to rugby league fans. But AS I SAID IN THE OP, what about the general public?

Or don't you care?

sour grapes me thinks

Isn't he dead?

You think wrong, as well as being very predicatable.

I think it's quite clear from my posts that I care about RL as a whole, and care about selling our game as a great product.

Sadly, a lot of you don't seem to give a shiit.

I think the fact that Warrington and Huddersfield have made it to the final will help boost the competition. The fact that the final is the first since 1998 not to have at least one of Wigan, Saints, Leeds or Bradford in will help reignite interest for many fans of other clubs. There is now a real reason for them to believe they can do the same. This could well result in a boost in attendances for all rounds next season as the cup will be seen as a more winnable trophy.

Forget the BBC promoting it, they didn't promote the earlier rounds so I don't expect too much promotion for the final.

You did not make it clear that you were not on about ticket sales because you were talking about the RFL. The bbc could market it with adverts but the RFL can do nothing about that.

I know what the origional poster means. He is not refering to existing RL fans but how are the RFL going to sell the game to those outside of it.

I honestly means no disrespect to any team but living down south i have first hand experience of this. When asked where i am from, i respond Wigan, they then say you must be a rugby league fan then. They continue to tell me everything they know about RL which is usually Martin offiah, elery hanley, shaun edwards and a rivalry with st helens. Very few have heard of any other team.

I can't answer the origional post just trying to help others understand it.

Aye the general publics heard of Amos Roberts havent they? and your other famous players ?........on the other hand Matt King, Adrian Morley Lee Briers everyones heard of them........ household names ....nay superstars

no disrespect to huddersfield, but they have more famous players than Wigan

And Saints V Wigan wembley finals only sell out because Neutrals watch in numbers.....

in a final that doesnt involve Saints or wigan the number of neutrals drop because not one single wigan or saints fan will turn up as a neutral because they are the filth of the rugby world and care only about their own grotty little clubs and couldnt give a toss about the wider game.

I think you are the one thats being predictable. I understand what you are getting at but you could have put it in a less insulting way. Time you took your rose tinted glasses off Warrington are not a small team or a corrie chracter as you put it and Wigan are no longer the force to be reckoned with. In the last 10 competative matches we have beaten you 7 times. Anyway Si Moran can just bring some of his famous friends to fill it up ha ha

You're wrong there. Many moons ago people outside of our game had heard of the likes of Offiah and Hanley. There are no 'superstars' anymore. There isn't anyone i know down here who could name a single RL player whoever he plays for. The 'stars' you mention are at most stars within the RL fraternity.