RL as a spectator sport

[josie andrews]

Well, well, well!! Do they not know we already have a 13 a-side game?

Rugby Union: New World 12s tournament proposed to launch in August 2022

Plans have been unveiled for a new 12-a-side rugby competition proposed to take place in England next August.

The new tournament, World 12s, is intended to feature 192 of the world's best players, picked via auction to represent eight franchises.

World 12s Limited says the competition will take place over three weekends in a round-robin format before knockouts.

"World 12s is a natural evolution for rugby union," said the organisation's chairman, Ian Ritchie.

"We feel that this is a game for our changing, fast-paced world that can excite a global fanbase in the way that we have seen with the IPL [Indian Premier League] or most recently The Hundred in cricket."

Ritchie, formerly chief executive of the Rugby Football Union, is joined on World 12's board by former Welsh Rugby Union chairman Gareth Davies and former New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew.

World 12s say they hope to inject as much as £250m into rugby union through the tournament and will offer equal prize money for men and women, with the women's competition proposed for 2023.

It is intended that most players will be selected from Tier One nations but every franchise will be required to select at least two players from Tier Two nations and one under-20s international player.

World 12s also said "informal" conversations with World Rugby, clubs, unions and players had been "constructive".

World Rugby insisted extensive talks with the tournament organisers were vital.

"We are aware of the proposed new World 12s competition," World Rugby said.

"While we welcome innovative thinking with the potential to advance the reach, attractiveness and growth of the sport, comprehensive consultation with the organisers is required to understand the viability of the concept, particularly in the context of ongoing global calendar discussions and the priority area of player welfare."

'They want to be there because of who they are playing with'

Former All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen is acting as a World 12s ambassador and believes players will jump at the chance to take part in the new tournament.

"I really think the players will want to be part of this, and they will find a way to push their clubs and unions to look at the calendar," he told BBC Sport.

"Why do I think this is different? Because the players are going to have a vested interest, they will want to play in it for a number of reasons.

"One, financially, that's the obvious one. Two, I think the concept of being able to spend three weeks with some of the best players in the world, rub shoulders on the training field, that is too good to turn down.

"You look at the IPL, people want to be there for the money, but they want to be there because of who they are playing with."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/58476455

[Wigan_forever1985]

That move could finish rugby league if it’s a success

[PJC]

I began this thread by acknowledging the work put in to develop today’s players. In my opinion , although not producing champagne rugby , there is full on commitment.
That said today’s methods don’t allow a player to develop naturally. John Wilkins commented on SKY that we pride ourselves on producing athletes but said that Dodd of St Helens is also a natural footballer i e in his opinion a breath of fresh air. I think that players are having their flair coached out of them to fit how that team plays.
You cannot turn back standards of fitness. I also think that having weight restrictions makes the game artificial.
I would like a rule change that will create specialist positions. hooker , prop, centre. Scrums slowed the game down before feeding was accepted but I would like to see a rethink. What those rule changes should be would need a lot of thought.
“We are turning out a team of 2 nd rowers “ sums it up.

[moto748]

I can't believe the piddling things that people get a bee in their bonnet about. Yeah, sure, things like the 20/40 could/should go (all the more so it's never actually used), but is anything like that a hill to die on in terms of falling out of love with the sport? I don't think players have the flair coached out of them necessarily; does DCE have the flair coached out of him? Or Reece Walsh? Or Jayden Preston?

"Sadly the game is getting more and more sanitised. More things are getting punished which we are not used."

I'm not clear what exactly is meant by that. Is the game going 'soft'? Looking at the speed of contact in the modern game, and the ever-mounting injury toll, it doesn't seem so to me. What are these extra things that are being punished now? Things like a free facial with every tackle? Should we go back to that?

[nathan_rugby]

I can't believe the piddling things that people get a bee in their bonnet about. Yeah, sure, things like the 20/40 could/should go (all the more so it's never actually used), but is anything like that a hill to die on in terms of falling out of love with the sport? I don't think players have the flair coached out of them necessarily; does DCE have the flair coached out of him? Or Reece Walsh? Or Jayden Preston?

"Sadly the game is getting more and more sanitised. More things are getting punished which we are not used."

I'm not clear what exactly is meant by that. Is the game going 'soft'? Looking at the speed of contact in the modern game, and the ever-mounting injury toll, it doesn't seem so to me. What are these extra things that are being punished now? Things like a free facial with every tackle? Should we go back to that?

Shoulder charge isn’t allowed
Any form of a scuffle is getting yellow and red cards
Any form of high tackle, even if accidental and bouncing from the chest getting punished

With regards to the facial, of course obvious ones should get punished, but the mild / not so obvious ones are fine. It’s a part of the game.

In general, too many penalties by the refs is ruining the game. Just let it flow.

[PJC]

Being brief in order to make a point. Kai Pearce Paul. What potential. Let’s hope he stays.

[mickali1]

I can't believe the piddling things that people get a bee in their bonnet about. Yeah, sure, things like the 20/40 could/should go (all the more so it's never actually used), but is anything like that a hill to die on in terms of falling out of love with the sport? I don't think players have the flair coached out of them necessarily; does DCE have the flair coached out of him? Or Reece Walsh? Or Jayden Preston?

"Sadly the game is getting more and more sanitised. More things are getting punished which we are not used."

I'm not clear what exactly is meant by that. Is the game going 'soft'? Looking at the speed of contact in the modern game, and the ever-mounting injury toll, it doesn't seem so to me. What are these extra things that are being punished now? Things like a free facial with every tackle? Should we go back to that?

Shoulder charge isn’t allowed
Any form of a scuffle is getting yellow and red cards
Any form of high tackle, even if accidental and bouncing from the chest getting punished

With regards to the facial, of course obvious ones should get punished, but the mild / not so obvious ones are fine. It’s a part of the game.

In general, too many penalties by the refs is ruining the game. Just let it flow.
[/quote

As you say, some of the stuff that results in penalties, sinbins etc. are farcical.

I think that the majority of spectators enjoy the dark side of rugby. Of course we don't want the Ben Flower type of incidents but a few scuffles now and again keeps it interesting .

One of the worst aspects of the game these days are the stoppages for "injuries". If a player is injured get them off the pitch asap and let play continue. If it is a head, neck, spinal injury I can understand there being caution but far, far too many are cynical attempts at slowing down play.

[culinator]

i feel the same with regards the stoppages, too many and not always consistently policed which causes more backlash.

Is it a point that the more rules they have to try and combat foul play or other infringements the more rules there are to twist to the players own ends and cause more harm than good, simpler is sometimes/usually better and common sense from the referee should be taught

[Mike]

I can't believe the piddling things that people get a bee in their bonnet about. Yeah, sure, things like the 20/40 could/should go (all the more so it's never actually used), but is anything like that a hill to die on in terms of falling out of love with the sport? I don't think players have the flair coached out of them necessarily; does DCE have the flair coached out of him? Or Reece Walsh? Or Jayden Preston?

"Sadly the game is getting more and more sanitised. More things are getting punished which we are not used."

I'm not clear what exactly is meant by that. Is the game going 'soft'? Looking at the speed of contact in the modern game, and the ever-mounting injury toll, it doesn't seem so to me. What are these extra things that are being punished now? Things like a free facial with every tackle? Should we go back to that?

Shoulder charge isn’t allowed
Any form of a scuffle is getting yellow and red cards
Any form of high tackle, even if accidental and bouncing from the chest getting punished

With regards to the facial, of course obvious ones should get punished, but the mild / not so obvious ones are fine. It’s a part of the game.

In general, too many penalties by the refs is ruining the game. Just let it flow.

Did you see the impact of the last televised shoulder charge? The Cats centre could have easily ended up like mose masoe. The size of the players and the contact point of shoulder charges is insanely dangerous. Are you really arguing that it should be back in the game as a legitimate tackle technique?

[moto748]

What Mike said. Plus, it just isn't true that every scuffle results in cards.

Not every game of any sport is going to be exciting, but I certainly think rugby league is the most exciting spectator sport on the planet in general. Certainly more exciting than football (which I also like). And rugby union: no comparison!