Why the RFL’s Challenge Cup revamp has backfired spectacularly

[josie andrews]

There is no shame in trying something different to try and spark interest in a flailing competition. That’s a point that needs making almost immediately here.

The Challenge Cup is floundering, and the reasons as to why are up for debate. There is no real interest until the latter stages so for the Rugby Football League to attempt to revamp it and make things interesting in the earlier rounds? You have to say fair enough. Few were complaining at the time of the announcement.

https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/wh ... ctacularly

[josie andrews]

Every Challenge Cup Round Three ground swap including Leeds Rhinos and Hull FC as fans give verdict


Round Three of the Challenge Cup was supposed to guarantee Super League sides travelling away from home but that has not been the case with a number of fixtures being moved.

There will be 16 games played on the weekend of Friday 7th February to Sunday the 9th but four of those will be played at either a neutral venue or the Super League team’s ground, something that is unexpected given the seeded element of the Challenge Cup draw.

The draw for Round Three saw all 12 Super League teams designated as away opponents with the teams being drawn in reverse finishing order from 2024, obviously meaning promoted Wakefield Trinity replaced London and were the first Super League team to find out their opponents.

They drew the winner of London Broncos and Goole Vikings, with League One club Goole winning that fixture to set up a home clash against Trinity. Despite that, the Vikings have ceded home advantage in order for the game to be played at Wakefield.

Three other community clubs who have drawn Super League opponents have done the same with those fixtures now played at either neutral venues or at the away team’s stadium.

Each game will have different specifics but factors generally are pitch quality and gate money with all Challenge Cup games seeing 50/50 splits on the gate. As such community club Wests Warriors, who are based in London, have opted to face Leeds Rhinos at Headingley where they will undoubtedly earn more money and allow their players to play at an incredible venue.

Below are the four games where the home side will not have home advantage.

West Warriors v Leeds Rhinos (Headingley)
York Acorn v Hull FC (Millennium Stadium)
West Hull v St Helens (Craven Park)
Goole Vikings v Wakefield Trinity (Wakefield)

Fans give verdict over Super League seeding issues in Challenge Cup

We asked fans how they felt the seeded element of the Challenge Cup draw went given that four of the twelve Super League teams will not actually have to travel to a community club, as initially was anticipated.

Opinions were split on the matter with some fans happy for the community clubs to benefit financially, but the format was again questioned as it has been widely.

Paul Worrall said: “If the little clubs benefit financially it’s worthwhile. Let the sides work it out between themselves where they play. Looking forward to West Hull v St Helens at Craven Park.”

Dave Street challenged the idea of Super League teams playing at home, something that both Leeds Rhinos and Wakefield Trinity will do.

He argued: “The whole idea was that the SL clubs played away. Neutral is acceptable but definitely not to switch fixture.”

John Musgrave wasn’t a fan of the seeded draw but has backed the community club’s choice to try and benefit financially from the situation.

He said: “I would have liked an open draw with no pre conceived away or home draws. Having said that I do not begrudge the Conference sides their day. I would support any of the sides drawing a super league side to play wherever they want.

“York Acorn if they had wished should have been allowed to play at home & limit the crowd to a couple of hundred if so desired. The same with west Hull & the London side. This round is all about the community teams & let them make as much revenue as they can.”

Another fan argued that the format was the issue and that instead, every team should enter the competition in Round One in a bid to create more ‘David versus Goliath’ ties, however, they also had no qualms with community clubs trying to earn money.

Lee Talbot argued: “The format is the issue the only way the romance of the cup returns is from round one all teams in the hat and let the beauty of the draw take its course.

“A David versus Goliath fixture or fixtures is the beauty of the cup draw but on the flip side if a lower league club want to switch the game to their rivals because of gate receipts and crowd accommodation then they should be allowed to do so.”

You can join in the debate here.

Challenge Cup Round Three fixtures

Every game to be played at the ground of the home team unless otherwise stated.

Friday, February 7

Workington Town v Leigh Leopards, KO 7.30 pm
Sheffield Eagles v Wigan Warriors, KO 7.30 pm
Keighley Cougars or York Knights v Hull KR (venue/KO TBC)

Saturday, February 8

Wests Warriors v Leeds Rhinos, KO 12 pm @ Headingley
York Acorn v Hull FC, KO 2 pm @ Millennium Stadium, Featherstone
West Hull v St Helens, KO 2 pm @ Craven Park
Goole Vikings v Wakefield Trinity, KO 3 pm @ Wakefield Trinity Stadium
Halifax Panthers v Catalans Dragons, KO 12 pm
Whitehaven v Warrington Wolves, KO 3 pm

Sunday, February 9

Bradford Bulls v Castleford Tigers, KO 1p m
Batley Bulldogs v Dewsbury Rams, KO 2 pm
Featherstone Rovers v Ince Rose Bridge, KO 2 pm
Midlands Hurricanes v Salford Red Devils, KO 2 pm
North Wales Crusaders v Widnes Vikings, KO 2.30 pm
Oldham RLFC v Barrow Raiders, KO 3 pm
Hunslet RLFC v Huddersfield Giants, KO 3 pm

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/every-ch ... ct-101061/

[fozzie58]

Ive no issue with super league sides being seeded away from home but this time of the year most sides are using this round as another pre season game which is what it is really all about bit of a shame really good idea poorly implemented

[Ipinwigan]

Ive no issue with super league sides being seeded away from home but this time of the year most sides are using this round as another pre season game which is what it is really all about bit of a shame really good idea poorly implemented

Should that not read "No idea"

[WarriorWinger]

As the original article is referring to, it was to create some much needed revenue for the amateur clubs and to have that air of David v Goliath about it, in their own back yard, but by switching the venues it is taking that feel away from it, yes it was a good idea and I think welcomed by the lower seeded clubs, just hope by switching the amateur clubs get most of the spoils from gate receipts, food etc.

[Mike]

As the original article is referring to, it was to create some much needed revenue for the amateur clubs and to have that air of David v Goliath about it, in their own back yard, but by switching the venues it is taking that feel away from it, yes it was a good idea and I think welcomed by the lower seeded clubs, just hope by switching the amateur clubs get most of the spoils from gate receipts, food etc.

They make way more that way.

[morley pie eater]

Hardly "backfired spectacularly" - whatever they do, there'll always be some who say it's wrong.

"Let's be purists and make Wakefield play at Goole." What happens then? Wakey win, all is forgotten., and Goole spend the next 10 or 15 years saving up for new changing rooms or better training equipment. But at least it kept the moaners quiet.

[Mike]

It's just a click bait headline. Amateur clubs always switch fixtures when they crop up. TBH the police might even insist that they do, even if finances was not an issue. This idea was about SL teams playing at championship clubs, and we've got a few of those.

[endoman]

Wait till you see Sheffields ground on Friday. Think Robin Park but smaller. I’m glad they didn’t move it though.

[moto748]

The system is fine. Amateur clubs have the option. I can't see that any alternative would better.