The problem with the percentage league table is that, now it’s been implemented it is dependent entirely on the integrity of the teams involved. There are teams - particularly one I won’t name but they have a ground in Cheshire- who will exploit and ‘loophole’ every opportunity. This has been demonstrated time and again, most recently with Incidents such as props (Hill etc) going off for a HIA with no apparent injury, players in the defending line dropping to the floor apparently unconscious when its apparent they are about to concede, then getting up and playing on after the ref stops play and prevents a try, and numerous other similar exploitations of rules. I fear they will be ‘unable’ to play crucial games where they may lose, but will be fine for the easier games.
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With regards to games now being played at a common ground EG Saints this weekend, do we get any financial benefit from the use of our ground??
Personally conspiracy theories are not high on my agenda nor is RFL criticism or becoming upset with their decisions, I just think a percentage win ratio with no constant base measure is wide open to manipulation. Add to that a variable minimum games played if four clubs fail to reach a previous required number then it is a farcical.
Lots of examples have been given but one that is a real possibility is three Lancashire & one French club dropping anchor after less the minimum games to preserve a % that maintains a top four place.
If this is at the expense of a Yorkshire side then although many will wallow in this scenario our game will look negative in many neutrals eyes.
I hope this does not happen and integrity prevails but if there is an opportunity to massage a system, human nature comes into human governed sports.
Last edited by Tallaght Tiger; 10th September 2020 at 20:34.
That’s my understanding of it and what I’ve been told by someone who would know.
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2 W***n players tested positive, expect another 15 tomorrow to make sure their game with Leeds is called off while they're feeling a bit delicate.
RFL Championship / Super League (17) - 1931–32, 1952–53, 1958–59, 1965–66, 1969–70, 1970–71, 1974–75, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2014, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
Challenge Cup (13) - 1955–56, 1960–61, 1965–66, 1971–72, 1975–76, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2021
World Club Challenge (3) - 2001, 2007, 2023
League Leader's Shield (9) - 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2022
Another Wigan player has tested positive for Covid, he didn't play on Saturday.
Latest from BBC.
Castleford's trip to Leeds hangs in the balance after three of their players tested positive for Covid-19 in their weekly round of coronavirus tests.
A further six members of the Cas squad have been stood down through track-and-trace protocols, meaning the Tigers have just 14 fit players.
Three more players will be reviewed on Thursday before deciding whether the Super League game will go ahead.
The entire Castleford Tigers squad will be tested again on Friday morning.
Several Super League games have already been postponed since the season started in August because of Covid-19 outbreaks in squads.
Link to story
Leeds and Salford should be in a bubble between now and the cup final. It would be embarrassing to have to rearrange the final due to multiple cases.
St Helens Rugby League Football Club
As they've set 15 games as the minimum, should we just try to get all the teams to that figure and go from there with maybe a top 5 system?
If we end up in a situation where we'll be happy to get everyone to 15 games, it would then be unwise to have a protracted play off system such as the top 5. The Top 4 semi final option makes sense because it keeps teams in contention but it's the shortest way to do the play-offs and get them done with the minimum of hassle.
You could even stick the 4 sides in a bubble together, play the semi finals at the same stadium (home ground of the team finishing top) on the same day or evening, and then keep the two winning sides in the bubble for the GF. 7-8 days, done and dusted. Top 5 means 6 play off games over 3 weeks, and would be unnecessarily risky IMO if we were in a position where the season had already been halted early.
My thinking was if we can get the teams to 15 games each we can probably get rid of the 3 games a week scenario and still fulfill tv commitments utilising top a 5 or even top 6 system. Any big step up in the covid figures and the three games a week is asking for trouble IMO.