Wigan Warriors’ Kris Radlinski calls for closer Super League links to the NRL

[morley pie eater]

I went last year watching the Broncos and to be honest I proper enjoyed it, but my attitude is if you don't try, you'll never know, the way we're talking here we sound like Cas and Wakey looking to stay the same, I think we'll put on a great show which probably means some will say that we're putting our lads (And women) in the shop windows but if we can put on the best match of the weekend then how good would it feel, we'll be 3 games in and the Aussies will be their first game, in a dream reality we could have a Wigan rugby fan club in LA!, in reality I know it's about getting a slither of the betting markets in the good ol' USA which didn't really happen last year but we have to persevere and keep going back, personally I hope we go back next year which Rads has intimated and play Saints!.

I kind of see both sides of this. Personally, I can't see the point . . . but that doesn't mean there isn't one. And moaning about it does make us sound like some of the Yorkshire fans.

My guess is that Danson, Rads and others, including Wire, see potential in getting a wider audience for the game, and see this as a way to do it. Even if we get a brief mention on the BBC News, or in The Times or Telegraph, it's achieved something.

Man United and Liverpool play games in China or wherever, and sell thousands of shirts there as well as increasing the world-wide TV audience and hence advertising revenue. We're nowhere near on a par with them, but any wider coverage or increased awareness must be good, surely?

“ If you keep doing the same things, you’ll end up getting the same results.”

[Hattster]

It's very rare that 'curtain raisers' get any media coverage and in all honesty that's all Wigan / Warrington are no matter how much anyone tries to big it up. Don't get me wrong I'm all for promoting the super league but not as some second string warm up game to showcase the NRL.
Yes it will be a great weekend for the fans of that I'm sure, and I hope that everyone enjoys it as it will be a great experience for fans, but let's not kid ourselves here in thinking that it will put super league on the map as a result.

[fozzie58]

My god none of us have been warm or seen the sun since August moaning is all we have to keep the cockles stoked over

[kitt green warriors]

It's very rare that 'curtain raisers' get any media coverage and in all honesty that's all Wigan / Warrington are no matter how much anyone tries to big it up. Don't get me wrong I'm all for promoting the super league but not as some second string warm up game to showcase the NRL.
Yes it will be a great weekend for the fans of that I'm sure, and I hope that everyone enjoys it as it will be a great experience for fans, but let's not kid ourselves here in thinking that it will put super league on the map as a result.

I disagree, I reckon we're on first as it's prime time TV in England so it makes sense rather than being third on in the middle of the night, where as the Aussies will start their matches around dinnertime, the GB v Australia match will be in the middle of the night in England so no I dont see us a curtain raiser. They're being very respectful over here about both us and Wires.

[Big Steve]

There will be an immediate benefit of SKY actually using this game to properly promote RL on their channel. They apparently have committed to properly build this game up and promote it across their channels in the run up to the game - something they have neve done in the past.

If that raises interest and viewing figures for the rest of the season it can only be a good thing. I really hope it provides a platform for individuals such as Bevan and Junior to make the leap from SL star to 'Sports stars' - recognised outside RL.

I think it gives Wigan and Wire - two of the most progressive clubs in SL an opportunity to learn more about creating actual events not just putting on a game. Something that IMG were supposed to be bringing in I think but have failed miserably. You only need to look at Darts on SKY to see how a game that was on it's ar*e can be turned around with a different approach. I think both teams will learn a hell of a lot from this game and working closely with the NRL.

[the pieman]

there's certainly something in what you have said Big Steve

i follow KR and KF on LinkedIn, so not sure if all their content gets posted onto other forms of social media. However, both are using this to push merchandise sales, get into SKY to speak about the promotion of the game and spend time with big clubs from other sports in the US to understand what and how they do things. There's no doubt we are ahead of other clubs in terms of ambition and how we do things, and others follow even if its years later, but we are also learning from some of the biggest brands in the world on how they do things

Clearly we wont be able to implement everything that we learn, but if we can keep ahead of the rest of SL off the pitch, then you would anticipate being able to keep in front on the pitch too

[Beryl O'Neill]

You don't get anywhere if you don't try I'm sure Danson wouldn't have got anywhere in business if he hadn't have speculated untried things at first he's not just attending the match for fun but keep your head in the sands and nothing will ever change.Nothing worse than continuing to moan if you don't try you don't get and we've got to be in it to win it but that's just my opinion

[nathan_rugby]

There will be an immediate benefit of SKY actually using this game to properly promote RL on their channel. They apparently have committed to properly build this game up and promote it across their channels in the run up to the game - something they have neve done in the past.

If that raises interest and viewing figures for the rest of the season it can only be a good thing. I really hope it provides a platform for individuals such as Bevan and Junior to make the leap from SL star to 'Sports stars' - recognised outside RL.

I think it gives Wigan and Wire - two of the most progressive clubs in SL an opportunity to learn more about creating actual events not just putting on a game. Something that IMG were supposed to be bringing in I think but have failed miserably. You only need to look at Darts on SKY to see how a game that was on it's ar*e can be turned around with a different approach. I think both teams will learn a hell of a lot from this game and working closely with the NRL.

What have Sky never done before?

What we want and need Sky to do is pay more for the TV rights. They will only do that if they think there is a benefit to them i.e. it beats competition or they think it improves the quality and therefore viewers.