The spotlight is on Challenge Cup attendances rugby league journalists have been asking if the magic of the Challenge Cup is dwindling after a series of low crowds turned out to watch Super League sides take on lower league opposition.
Hunslet took a handsome number of supporters to Wigan but the game could only muster a crowd of 4390. Warrington hosted Doncaster in front of 3002.
It wasn’t only the one-sided games that were affected either as the all-Super League ties were hit by lack of numbers.
Bradford’s excellent win over Catalan could attract just 2341, and Salford’s defeat of Widnes was watched by a meager 2630.
Leigh and Featherstone, two of the top Championship sides, played out an exciting encounter before a respectable 3664, which is roughly what you’d expect from a league game.
Castleford’s demolition of Sheffield attracted 4648.
The highest attendance of the round was also the only televised game as Leeds played St Helens at Headingley in front of a very credible 12,194.
If the cup is losing its spark among hardened rugby league fans, what can be done to re-invigorate it?
Firstly, I think a blanket pricing structure could improve attendances and increase interest in the world’s oldest knockout competition. I understand the necessity in finding a financial balance considering the gates are split between the two sides so I’d consider a separate price for season pass holders and then a set price for adults and children that is affordable.
Secondly, I believe each team should set aide a certain amount of free tickets for local school children with a discounted price for the attending guardians.
This would improve local and community relationships between clubs and schools, and encourage children to take a greater interest in the sport we all love.
It is bitterly disappointing to see crowds in the last 16 so low and it is about time our governing body look to boost this with reasonable incentives and action plans. The potential is great.
Challenge Cup round up
Bradford made amends for their embarrassing defeat at Wigan last week with a good win at home to Catalan. The Bulls came from 14-0 down and Jamie Foster scored 20 points in the 33-20 victory.
Warrington breezed past Doncaster at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. Chris Bridge scored four tries and 10 goals in a personal 36-point haul and Kevin Penny crossed for a hat trick in their 68-0 win.
Leeds inflicted St Helens’ third straight defeat in all competitions. Zak Hardaker grabbed a brace and Kevin Sinfield kicked six goals in a 32-12 win to proceed to the next Round.
Championship leaders Leigh beat Featherstone and Keighley booked their place in the quarter finals thanks to victory away at Swinton.
Widnes march on after an impressive display earned them a scalp at Salford. Rhys Hanbury scored two of the Vikings’ five tries to go through. Wigan hammered Hunslet and Castleford put 60 on Sheffield with winger Justin Carney scoring four in an easy win.
Try of the week
Zak Hardaker’s try off the back of great work by Ryan Hall gets the nod this week. Hall’s strong running laid the platform and as he offloaded to Hardaker who spun out of Josh Jones’ clutches to dart over and score next to the posts.
A notable mention must also go to Leigh half back Ryan Brierley who scored a terrific try after weaving his way through the Featherstone line to score. Great effort.
Class in a glass
You’ve got to give it to the Championsip One side Hunslet, whose fans travelled in numbers to their game at Wigan and were vociferous throughout. Despite a heavy defeat, they sang from start to finish and saw their side score two tries against professional the Super League champions and Challenge Cup holders. Well played Hawks fans, you are a real credit to your club!
Quarter final draw
Bradford v Warrington
Leeds v Leigh
Widnes v Keighley
Wigan v Castleford
All ties are to be played on the weekend of Saturday, June 7.
Injury update
Jordan Turner will miss the next two months after breaking a bone in his foot in St Helens 32-12 defeat against Leeds. Kyle Amor is also set for a spell on the sidelines after hurting his knee. Rob Burrow broke his collarbone in the same game is likely to miss 12 weeks.
Castleford have been dealt a triple injury blow after Ryan Boyce received the news he requires a knee reconstruction and will miss the rest of the season, Nathan Massey has had an ankle operation with an expected six-eight week recovery period, and Dan Fleming has a back injury.
Player movements
The loan market shows no signs of slowing down, especially at Odsal where Bradford continue to add players to their squad on a temporary basis. This week the Bulls have signed Hull FC duo Jay Pitts and Joe Arundel.
Salford have brought in Hull KR full back Greg Eden, who debuted on Sunday against Widnes, for a month.
Rumour mill
Hull Kingston Rovers are keeping tabs on Wigan’s Daryl Goulding in an attempt to strengthen the centre position. Suggestions have already been that Rovers may try and sign international winger Josh Charnley, who had a loan spell at Craven Park four years ago.
Castleford are expected to announce one, perhaps two, new signings after losing three players to long-term injuries.
Benji Marshall will not be joining Salford.
Beard watch
Josh Jones is currently displaying a full fat ginger facial warmer. As a beard aficionado and connoisseur of those who wear them, Jones’ effort, especially the lighter tint at the front, is great to see.
Final thought
It was with great sadness that I learned of Ryan Tandy’s death, at the age of 32.
Tandy played 12 times for my club, Hull KR back in 2007, laced for Widnes and Whitehaven, and represented Ireland at the 2008 World Cup. In his short time at Craven Park he became a firm fans’ favourite and put in some solid displays for us.
I have read numerous media reports, suggestions and assumptions surrounding Tandy’s untimely passing and the media have been camped outside his parents home, where his mother found him, for quite some time.
This isn’t the time for any of that. This is the time to respect Tandy’s family and friends’ privacy at such a sad time.
My thoughts are with them.
RIP big man.
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
There has been a lot of skilful footy, amazing tries, and plenty of upsets this season in Super league. I've enjoyed watching it and TV audiences are apparently way up. Good to see Leeds v Saints challenge cup game got a viewing audience on BBC in the seven figures, and was a cracking hard game with plenty of skill. SL is actually on the way up and hope that RLWC13 gave it the boost it deserves with the comp welcoming heaps of new sponsors.
Glenn Innes
Guest
Ronnie - Compared with the ESL or the serie A Italiy our soccer league is pissweak just like Superleague is pissweak compared to the NRL. Who cares if that offends anyone sometimes the truth hurts - no sane person would suggest A League is the same ballpark as the worlds best football leagues so why suggest Rugby League fans should pretend the English game is on the same planet as the NRL.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Okay, thanks. Let's hope that two competitions can find a way to work closer together.
Ronnie
Guest
Nothing that I am aware of though with Wood now the international chairman and Dave Smith his second, I would hope that something good would come from that.
Ronnie
Guest
Nothing that I am aware of though with Wood now the international chairman and Dave Smith his second, I would hope that something good would come from that.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Do you know if there has ever been talks, official or otherwise, about more co-operation between the Super League and the NRL?
Ronnie
Guest
Thanks Adam, I will look out for this.
Adam Everitt
Roar Rookie
Hi guys, In response to Ronnie's first post, I submit an article every week on Super League in the same format as the Challenge Cup article above. If you click on my name I think you'll find them all that way. A lot of people keep saying Super League is 'dying' but is it really dying? I have to disagree entirely. It is far from perfect, but it isn't on its death bed. We want the attract the best but can't pay for the best; we want to keep the best of what we have but don't have the salary cap to do it. The governing body is richer than it ever has been but many clubs are poor, which is something we have to address. I think a lot of people are losing interest because it doesn't really go anywhere. The NRL has the capability to produce results without relegation, and although I am a staunchly anti-relegation, the re-introduction of this may spark a bit of excitement at the bottom of the league again. Here's hoping...
Ronnie
Guest
Even one sided games can be entertaining. Firstly the stronger teams often blood youngsters which can be quite attractive but there is also a risk with that strategy. Second, for the underdog, it is often seen as a grand final for them and they can suddenly play out of their skin. The effort they put has to be appreciated even if the skills are not there. Thirdly, the higher ranked team often test out new moves and take more risks and can produce the sort of football we (with our evenly matched, salary cap governed comp) never see. They are all aspects of our great game and a great game is not always one that is evenly matched.
Ronnie
Guest
Well said.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Yeah, I love the atmosphere the crowds over there create.
Vivalasvegan
Guest
I love watching the SL. It has better reffing, is less formulaic and offers up a bit of aggression and the odd 'set to'. Granted, you get some one sided matches but a good match is a refreshing change from how the game is turning in NRL. And the crowds sing!
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Unless it is jovial and part of some good natured banter, provincialism disgusts me. If the Super League and the NRL could somehow join forces in a meaningful way, international rugby league, I am sure, would prosper, sending all of the village people back into their huts.
Ronnie
Guest
I am all for patriotism and I am all for supporting our own domestic competition but the attitude of some Australians is embarrassing. How would we feel if we were soccor fans and were constantly being told how our comp doesn't matter and how inferior we are and that our games are boring and our players crap. It is discrimination in another form and it makes me cringe when I hear it coming from my countrymen.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Again, another nice report. It's morbidly fascinating that many in Australia seem to like talking down the Super League (and basically anything that isn't State of Origin or NRL). What these people seem to forget is that the competition is still professional. Players get paid to play rugby league. And despite the many problems the competition over there seems to have, it still exists! Why on earth any one would want to death ride that?
Ronnie
Guest
Nice to see some commentary on the challenge cup. Some reporting on the ESL as well would be nice. Now let me ask you a question, If the Roosters turned just 1/4 of their first team plus a few drift ins out to play say Cronulla's NSW cup side, what sort of gate would you expect ? Because that is what happens with some of these early Challenge Cup rounds and the Wigan v Hunslet game is simply a case in point. I like the fact that the Challenge Cup gives a chance to the amateur clubs to join in a serious competition with the big boys but it does throw up some huge mis-matches. For the likes of Hunslet, playing Wigan at Wigan is like playing in a Grand Final for their fans so I am not surprised that they travelled to watch that. That said, we all know that the ESL is struggling. They struggle to get any media coverage at all. Every week you might get 1 or possibly 2 matches shown on pay tv and nothing at all on free to air. Even channel 9's coverage of the NRL is better than what they get and this lack of tv coverage starves them of the oxygen they need to survive. Some people in Australia seem to find that amusing calling the ESL an inferior competition and why bother. I'll tell you why we should bother, because if the ESL dies then so will many of the other fledgling RL countries in Europe. So will any international competition of note. Fiji might still play the USA in something but at a senior level, all we will be left with is us and the Kiwis and the Kiwis and us. Far from denigrating the ESL. we should be supporting it and whilst I am sad to see the likes of Kevin Locke lost to the NRL, I am glad to see him going to Salford as I know he will help create interest there. The Challenge Cup is a wonderful competition with a very long tradition and history and yes even clubs like Hunslet have won the cup in that history. I would love to see that televised over here, maybe Ch7 or 10 or hell even SBS could pick it up for peanuts and give us all a treat. It wouldn't harm the ESL either.