The 18th Man Column: Tackling the burning issues

Our 18th Man Columnists discuss win percentage, the Challenge Cup's value and Toronto's bid for Super League readmission...
Toronto and Wigan players have to get used to win percentageToronto and Wigan players have to get used to win percentage
Toronto and Wigan players have to get used to win percentage

The Super League table has adapted a ‘win percentage’ structure – sensible, silly or somewhere in between?

Sean Lawless: The idea that the RFL have thought about the inevitable, in that not all teams will complete a full season of fixtures is brilliant and unexpected.

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My issue with this, is that the percentage structure has been brought in at this stage, rather than at the end of the season when every effort to fulfil fixtures has been made. The current format means that Wigan or St Helens could be Super League champions and not actually play each other in 2020!

Jon Lyon: I certainly wasn’t happy to see us drop to fourth overnight, at that moment it seemed a very harsh system. The truth of it is that we’ve no idea how many more positive Covid tests we will have in Super League between now and the end of the season.

Teams have done their best to put matches on for the sake of the sport even when missing eight or nine players.

There will inevitably be some games that can’t be played so I guess it’s the fairest way forward.

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I will say though that if all teams aren’t playing each other anymore then I don’t see why we can’t have our points from the Toronto win reinstated.

Super League can’t penalise us because some teams won’t play Toronto when several teams won’t play Catalans twice, and maybe not even once.

Ste Ford: I think under the current unusual circumstances it’s a pretty sensible move.

Hopefully we will get all games played but if not then we already have a answer to avoid any disputes down the line.

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Darren Wrudd: When I first heard about this system of percentage wins instead of points and points differences, like many others including several coaches on record I thought the RFL had lost the plot.

The continuing development of the current pandemic crisis has shown that their decision in hindsight could at least be considered a positive reaction to the situation. With players coming down with the virus and the whole UK professional game in jeopardy, ensuring the continuation of our sport in any guise at all is a bold step forward and one which I applaud.

No doubt Sky TV’s minimum requirements of games shown must be adhered to in order to secure funds and if this is the only way that a meaningful league table can be achieved – so be it.

The only aspect that bothers me really is in that a draw would be solved on the toss of a coin.

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Surely average points difference or some such calculation would reflect the effort of the players rather than heads or tails, but for once and please don’t tell anyone, I agree with the RFL and think it is a reasonable solution to an unprecedented situation.

Alex Graham: In a season with everything already so complicated and full of uncertainty the introduction of this format just adds to the confusion.

This season simply about getting through the rest of the year and fulfilling commercial obligations as smoothly as possible. We seem to have an obsession in rugby league to make league and points systems as technically confusing as possible, which simply makes it less engaging for anybody wanting to watch the sport.

Will the Challenge Cup still mean something to win it this year?

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Sean Lawless: At the moment, the Challenge Cup will still mean something, as there is still a very small chance that a final could be played at Wembley in front of some fans.

However, when reality dawns and the final becomes Wigan v Salford played at Leigh in front of no fans, perhaps the magic of the cup dies at that point.

Jon Lyon: I expect to a lot of fans what the Cup means depends on how well your team does.

If Wigan win I’ll celebrate it like any other cup win, maybe even more after the madness of 2020.

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By that time I might be celebrating on my own, in a group of six or inside a giant bubble made of masks, who knows!

If we don’t win the cup then it’s a Mickey Mouse competition that means nothing!

Personally I think the cup should have been cancelled unless that would have created too many financial problems, which can be the only reason it’s being played in its reduced format.

Ste Ford: I think that the Challenge Cup has lost its glamour.

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It’s nice when you win it but no major drama if you don’t. Obviously I still hope that we win it but now it is the Grand Final that most fans want to win.

Darren Wrudd: Let’s be totally honest in that there is very little hope of minor clubs getting to Wembley for the final and it is often fought out between clubs from the top half of the Super League. This year will be no different I am sure and neither will the kudos of lifting that Trophy and going down in history as the 2020 Challenge Cup Champions.

Sure, there is a certain amount of magic which has been lost due to the lack of the whole Rugby League family being involved and the richness of a day out at Wembley is often fulfilled by the sheer number of different club shirts and supporters from all over who join in. But I am sure the competition will still be a tough one and look forward to cheering our lads on if we get there.

Alex Graham: Winning any trophy at any time always means something to an extent, but there will be less sense of achievement if any trophy is won this year.

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Don’t get me wrong, players and clubs still have to go through the blood, sweat and tears of trying come out on top but the mindset of most people in general life seems to be seeing out 2020 due to the amount of disruption suffered particularly earlier on in the year. I’d be less disappointed if we didn’t win anything this year than any other.

A decision is due on whether to admit Toronto Wolfpack into Super League next year. After what you’ve heard, should they be allowed back in?

Sean Lawless: Toronto are an essential part of whether the Super League survives commercially over the next five years.

Selling TV rights with the name of Toronto Wolfpack and potential names like SBW still on board is a much easier sell than, we have added Featherstone with players like Brett Ferres!

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However, their return to the league should also come with a points deduction.

Jon Lyon: I will always be against a transatlantic team being in Super League.

I still don’t see how it’s financially viable without a wealthy benefactor who could pull the plug at any time, though I suppose many would reply that some English teams are in the same boat.

That said, the new owner has made some strong comments about the previous owner, and seems to be much more honest about Toronto’s responsibilities. The new leadership should be given a chance but I’m honestly torn between a Super League place or a Championship spot for them. Whilst Toronto don’t really deserve it, it seems easier to plan to put them back in Super League than decide which Championship team would come up instead. Maybe it’s better the devil you know.

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Ste Ford: Unless they pay all players any wages still outstanding then absolutely not.

If that is satisfied then they also they must submit a detailed plan on how they will be financed in the future and agreeing to placing a bond to cover any future repeat failures on player payments.

Finally they must submit a development plan containing plans for player development and expansion of the game.

Darren Wrudd: This is really a question about international expansionism and as such I simply cannot support it. The Toronto club refused to take part in the UK competition which they joined in a blaze of publicity, high hopes and promises.

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This to me highlights the weakness in our sport. Another gimmick to gain some space in the media, to create talking points about how bold we are as an organisation, pushing the limits, striding forward… rubbish.

I see this as another experiment gone wrong.

When will the RFL realise that if they had done the right thing years ago by self-investment to build our elite clubs and promote our domestic game, create a spectacle to fill stadiums and create demand for the game as a whole.

We would not need clubs like Toronto to up the profile. Clubs all around the world would look and crave the spectacle therefore driving their own domestic game development and then the crème de la crème could fight out in a World Wide Club Challenge.

That is expansion, that is international development, all we seem to do is export some average players, let them buy a few in dubious salary cap calculations and call it exciting.

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It’s all wrong for me and whilst I feel for the livelihoods at stake, big picture is more important. Sack them and bring in Featherstone for next year who were the losing finalists.

Alex Graham: If the new owners of Toronto present a business case which makes the club financially secure and provides a solid strategy for growth of the sport in Toronto and Canada then they should absolutely be in Super League next year.

The achievements on and off field to date can’t be ignored and just because it failed at one hurdle doesn’t mean the direction was wrong. As a sport and when it comes to expansion rugby league is too quick to revert back to what we’ve always done when challenged.

The vision must remain and those limited M62-based clubs mustn’t be appeased.

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If Toronto do not present a viable business case then the remaining spot must be left open to a club with significant expansion or growth opportunities.

What would bringing low populated villages and boroughs such as Featherstone and Leigh add to the competition?

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