Watch out NRL, Super League is coming at you

News Ltd = Super League News Ltd = Rugby Union All the codes profit from News Ltd's involvement in the NRL except Rugby League in Australia. They have been milking it for long enough and the whole Storm fiasco would never have come to light if the independent commision was not being sought.

Shows what you know Dynamite. 22k at Hull on the weekend, big city. 22k at Wigan, part of Manchester. 15k at Leeds, another well known big city. And then there was Bradford, but it's only a village too huh? Or how about your saints, liverpool, no ones heard of liverpool. Salford, another Manchester side, never heard of manchester? Tell me, what other Rugby comp on Earth besides the NRL gets near 2 million through its gates each season? I'll give to the answer, Super League. The top 14 is close, but the SL gets more people ach year going to games. As for Harequins RL, they are not propped up by the union side, they have their own backer and he is RL through and through as he had played the game for years. They shared the same ground and name, that's all.

Super league is a great comp. Backed by the government the game in the UK has huge potential. Dino Dan, i admire what you say about not being recognised, you are so far from the truth your a comedian. I noticed you left out Leeds and Hull. two major cities. The rivalry and passion for the game in these two cities is enormous. The game set a crowd record attendence just last week-end. The game also recorded a massive profit in the World downturn. Now if you look at one of your points, in markets where the game is struggling, Wales, France, and London, yes i admit not good, but to have the game so strong in core markets, and provide these other teams full support, is nothing short of outstounding. Glad you are not involved with my bussiness. ;)

Never is a long time.... NEVER sounds even longer.... What's your point though? I don't think anyone's put forward that RL is on the precipice of usurping AFL's Melbourne popularity - does that mean that they should just give up on having a presence in that marketplace? AFL's been in Sydney for ~30 years now and it's ratings barely cover the families of the players but they're putting in a second team. Do you think they should give up as well?

Lima, Hoffman, Finch and Quinn all going to Super League, all lost to the game here...

Just because they might not want to watch it, doesnt mean you shouldn't show it... how do you generate interest? if you'd get a million plus people watching NRL in melbourne we wouldn't be talking about this? give NRL even coverage and watch the game build momentum over the next 20 years... it just drives me crazy that all the RL people in NSW/QLD think that because they are the 2nd biggest code that they should be close to the biggest code. Soccer has a borader appeal and wider penetration than RL, RL just has the numbers. if RL doesn't aggressively push into new markets, they will get left behind. you cant sell people a team of losers... and if you cant sell a new market a good product, they won't buy it.

RL and the Storm will NEVER take off in Melbourne as its AFL then daylight the other codes.The Storm crowds are now back to their longtime average of 10,000- 12,000 even with a brand new 31,000 stadium.

Strange article to be honest, the Super League hasnt ever been a threat, I like the competition as the game does it what does to get into the spotlight, but the riches that the Leeds CEO said a few years ago are way way gone

The IC will not work as long as the make up is predominately the same as we have now. News Ltd will fill it with their 'PUPPETS' and if decisions go against them, they will sack the independents.....

Not to mention the ESL has implemented an import rule with each club (with the exception of Crusaders RL) having so many overseas players

The 'SuperLeague is anything but super. Only about 3 clubs get crowds to the games and look at the towns invovled - Salford, Wigan, St Helens, Warrington etc etc - hardly among the great cities of Europe. In fact, all of the clubs are located in economic backwaters, and the only club in London relies on money propped up by the world famous Harlequins Rugby Union Club. Also, look at the quality of games - watching 'SuperLeague' is like watching Dad's Army have a run around!! Rugby league in England is a poor sport, and, outside of the little no-name towns I have mentioned, has no credibility in the media.

Super League is going nowhere and sadly english Rugby League is a massive step down from the NRL.

super league is a non-issue.... people went before becuase there were certain tax advantages that could be used (something like half a players income was previously tax-free). Now that loophole has been closed and exchange rates arnt as good as they were. japan rugby is retreating, aru have drawn a line in the sand, french rugby is still there - but not much movement or talk in that regard... which possibly leaves the afl as the biggest poaching threat, but then again, how much will clubs pay for untested players? back to super league - i dont really see a huge problem in players going across if it improves english rl. on the flipside - burgess, flanganan and ellis have been great additions to our comp

Agree with you Brenden, on a couple of points , players moving to England for rugby league is subject to the player being able to move.Family, homesickness, i watch every year another player moving back to oz because of family issues. Super league needs to attract players who have no issues. Only this week Luke O'donald is moving to super league on a deal to good to refuse. More players would go to super league, but they dont wish to leave Australia and live in a strange land, sad as it might sound, its very real. As Brenden mentioned, the NRL is a very close comp, we need to protect this because the quality across the comp is very good at the moment, every team has a hope of making the 8. Making the 8 is the 1st hurdle, anything above this a bonus, that is the way i look at the comp these days. I see that Gallop has stated Aderlaide a future expansion area, He has done a couple of good things for rugby league, as i keep saying, he needs help from a I.C so he can do his job, being a CEO of the NRL, not rugby league as awhole. Things are starting to look possitive, when we get the I.C to take the game forward, i can sleep easy.

You make the point of AFL's higher salary cap for new markets... How long has the swans been in Sydney? 30 years... to me the strongest point of the NRL competition is the fact that its an equal playing field. The last thing i think any NRL supporter would agree to accept is an uneven playing field. Imagine thinking that the club you love has a lesser chance of winning the title just to support another clubs development into a new market. The cap is working and will be even better once we get the new independent commision and increased tv revenue from the new deal, the cap will rise and going overseas wont be an issue. Its not an issue anyway as Squire Gordan points out. I know that you want better veiwing times in Vic and I appreciate that, I agree it should be improved. the question is will people watch it. In sydney the AFL gets caned in the ratings on a weekly basis so do you want the same thing happening in other markets. Whats your plan...

Agree with Squire Gordon. Due to the GFC, Super League in the UK in the short & medium term will be unable to afford to pay over the odds for NRL players. I'm sure the NRL would love to have Channel 9 broadcast in Melbourne at more viewer-friendly times, however that's Channel 9's decision. The NRL will have more clout in negotiations early next year when the TV deals are renegotiated....I'm sure they will want not just increases in payments but guarantees of improved schedules. The increased revenues to the game can then be used to help teams like Melbourne Storm develop the game in non-League heartland areas. It will also help the NRL expand into Perth and Central Coast in 2013 and Ipswich/Logan & CQLD in 2017. As a 'traditionalist' I'm happy to see Melbourne Storm in the comp and happy for them to win premierships as long as they do it by the rules. I think Gallop has handled the Storm drama well - Gus Gould has been silent since the full extent of the rorting came out this week and the Independent Storm Directors flew overseas with their tails between their legs and have withdrawn the court case.

Super League riches in England are a myth. Yes, a few years ago when the pound was stronger and visa restrictions not so tight the odd 'looking for a challenge' player headed over but those days are just about over. The truth is that apart from 2 or 3 clubs most super league clubs are paupers.