I'd have been quicker had I not quoted first rather than edited.

I hope it's Saints again! Make it a hat-trick of Murrayfield Thrashings!

Have they stated any reason for the 2 pots ????

I wouldn't have minded a game against Wire, Bradford, etc.. but just because we finished higher up the table, we are automatically given a harder game (based on last years form).

I don't see why this isn't a simple, single pot, with any team drawn against any other.

I would personally like the easiest game possible.

I think it's unfair that we automatically get a harder game really.

We all know it will be Leeds v Saints and Wigan v Hull KR to maximise support.

Alll the fixtures are out next wednesday! superleague.co.uk/article.php?id=15932

Alll the fixtures are out next wednesday! superleague.co.uk/article.php?id=15932

I'm surprised they are still banging on with this Murrayfield tragic event!
They could make far better use of a free weekend than produce an extra league fixture that clubs don't want.
How many years did they contract for?

Wakefield please

I'd like Hull KR.

The 2 sets of fans have a good relationship and both take good followings to the magic events so a good crowd would be on for the game.

They did the same last year IIRC. Personally i dont agree with it because why should Wakefield (for example) be punished for finishing 5th last season. IMO its not fair, warrington are more likely to be up there next season and could draw a nice easy tie for there extra game. I understant they want as many competative games a possible but i personally dont agree with this

the point is that it gives the teams who finished bottom 6 last year a chance to pick up 2 points against weaker oposition that the top 8 pot and those 2 points could help them break into the top 8 come end of season.

levels the playing field a bit imo.

and im still a fan of the NFL draft system. They have a salary cap same as us, but the team finishing bottom gets first pick of free agents (out of contract players) and rookies from the amatuer ranks (colleges), and top team picks last.
would love to se a similar system here . that would stop any team dominating for years on end, unless they had the finances brought in from crowd receipts.

Good that its on SSN, but wouldnt have minded an easier fixture than those available.

Well the idea is to get competitive games but it doesn't take into account teams over achieving or under achieving last season. It's basically the play off teams in one pot and the non play off teams in the other.

The draw has already been done:

Wigan v Leeds
Saints v Hull KR
Wakefield v Castleford
Huddersfield v Catalan

Warrington v Hull
Bradford v Salford
Harlequins V Celtic

I thought it was live next Wednesday?

It is like the Challenge Cup draw was last season

Serioulsy?

If they are the fixtures i'm pretty happy. It's obviously the toughest game we could get but we've got a good record against Leeds and the game would attract a decent crowd.

Why has the date of the fixtures been brought forward.

I think hes joking pal

Well IMO i dont agree with it. Again, lets say Wakey draw Leeds who go on to finish top and dont lose a game all season. Hull draw Celtic who go on to not win a match all season. Hull pinch 8th spot and a play off place by 1 point over Wakey who finish 9th. I personally do not think its fair that Wakey would have had to play Leeds 3 times and Hull played Celtic 3 times. Would you consider that fair? (obviously i am usuing them 4 teams just for an example)

Why cant we just have a league were we play every team 2 times like every other respectable league around the world. (obviously i take the scotish football league out of that

)

you have a good point there using those examples. and i agree with you re playing each other home and away and thats it.

the thing is that the RFL dont agree with us and want this extra fixture which is frankly a pain for supporters and players alike, and the only ones outside the RFL hierarchy and SKY who DO want em are the fans who use the weekend as a jolly.

but it does make a bit of a mockery of superleague in the eyes of other sports.

back to my fav comparison...NFL
they bring a seasonal fixture over to london (and its 3rd time this year, with talk of having 2 next year).
why dont the RFL just take 1 game up to scotland if its trying to expand the regioning of RL, and plan it way in advance and choose different teams every year???
of course they would have to compensate home clubs for lost revenue, and subsidise travel for the fans ......thats why its a non starter.

so they invent an entire round of fixtures, get a few fans from each club to fill the stadium and it costs them nothing

And the NRL.

Of course we take more than anyone else

The NFL Draft works well because the feeder system is unaffiliated with the top tier of teams.

It simply wouldn't work here, because the feeder system is strongly tied to the top tier teams. Players generally progress through their local systems from junior to professional ranks within their feeder area. Sure, some get signed from out-of-area teams, but most don't.

Would you like to see players coming through from St Pats etc, playing in the Wigan U18 and U21 squads, and then getting drafted to Leeds, St. Helens, Wakefield, Hull, Celtic etc?

What about teams that have little of no feeder system to speak of? Is it fair that they should get an unprportionate cut of the talent just for performing poorly the year before? Maybe we should sign Veivers and Farrell to Celtic?

i can sympathise with that. its all kids dreams to play for their home town team, but money talks doesnt it?

in the NFL you get kids from miami getting drafted from the colleges of florida into pittsburgh, new york, etc.
as long as the contracts right, the kids will sign.

a way round it and a way kids could end up back in their home town is where the trading system comes in.

if a wigan lads drafted by saints, he simply doesnt sign the contract and holds out for a trade back to wigan, or he takes the money and runs.

about the draw on wednesday. i wonder if we will 'draw' huddersfield. any thoughts on who you'd like