What needs to be done to make the game of Rugby League more appealing to the audience? Rule changes etc?

Question

Well this is what I think, there needs to be something done about our good players leaving to go overseas maybe more endorsements with nike etc to boost the players wage. I think there needs to be bonuses for players that, at the end of the season are on top of the stats like player with the most points, player with the most tries etc

A few rule changes like only using the video referee 2 or 3 times a half but the apposing team has to say when they want to use those challenges like in tennis?

Answer 1

leave out the video referee its slowing down our game and phil gould has had enough of it lol. Also players our playing overseas because they are tempted by other clubs. for eg mark gasnier is going to france rugby because off the money and the nrl cant afford it because of the salary cap. johnathan thurston may play overseas in 2011 when his contract expires with the cowboys, also darren lockyer may play in the super league before he retires. Overseas rugby league wants our players becasue they've got **** players over there.

Answer 2

More tickets sold by doing things like making some grounds as big as Aussie rules grounds. Have more sky boxes and things like that. Have more comps and have more in schools Rugby League. The in schools Rugby League really helps for Victoria as more and more people start to like it

Answer 3

1. Bring back proper scrums.

2. Give the game back to the field referees. Nothing worse than Video Ref indicating "Refs Call" after it had been "upstairs".

3. 10m back to 5m. 5m the attacking side is in the oppositions face immediately. Not a good spectacle for TV viewers as what the game is designed for today. Anyway most Referees haven't the teams back 10m anyway.

4. As for players going overseas - who cares.  The NRL is a 16 Team Franchise and if they and their representatives (the clubs) can't look after their players who can.?  The players want a retirement payment and if its overseas or Rugby Union they will chase it. Maybe Super League should be re-introduced.

Our Leagues Clubs are stuffed under Govt taxes on Poker Machines, so I don't believe the Salary Cap can be increased as clubs would go into debt.

5. Maybe all club CEOs and their staff take a pay cut, as well as all the deadwood in the NRL - this would leave xtra money for players.

Answer 4

With respect to you and everyone replying.  The only 'rules' that needs changing are the ones we impose on ourselves.

Make some rules for yourself as a fan and supporter of this magnificent game.

Rule no 1.  I as a supporter must get out to as many live games as I possibly can.

Rule no 2.  I as a supporter will not patronise any other sport whilst mine is being systematicaly discected and nuetralised by the very same organisations.

Rule no 3.  I will do my best to introduce others to my sport by taking them to games and letting them see for themselves what a thrilling game it realy is.

Rule no 4. I will buy membership of my chosen club.

Rule no 5.  I will support my local junior club in any way possible.

Rue no 6.  I will remain proud of my games wonderful heritage.

Rule 7.  (add your own)

Answer 5

2 things I think could help the game, I. get rid of the scrums, what is the point ??and 2. make the field 5mtrs wider and create a bit more space, there is no more exciting sight in any sport than a Slater or Inglis or Hayne sprinting down the wing or splitting the middle for a 50m try. NRL is just as athletic as AFL but tends to get put in the crash and bash basket,

Answer 6

The greatest farce in the game is the pretend "scrums". Just give possession over and get on with the game..

Answer 7

It is my opinion that rugby league is driving the kids away from the game, it costs me over $60.00 to take my one son (who has a pass) to a game at Shark Park, by the time I get parking, get in, upgrade us to get a seat and buy something to eat and drink. All kids should get in for a very discounted price that includes a drink, pie and ice cream (or whatever), they should be able to run onto the ground at the end of the game and nick the cardboard corner posts, pat the players on the back and get their footy cards signed. Surely leagues clubs realise that it is a better long term goal if they FILL the grounds and maybe not make such a large profit per person then to half fill the ground and try to take a few people for every last cent they can get. Maybe a family pass arrangement would be good.

If they don't act NOW, the kids that are going over to soccer and AFL will be directors at major companies in the next ten or twenty years and when they are looking to sponsor a sport guess where they will send the money, it won't be league.

If I could change anything I would open a two or maybe even a three tier comp with a higher salary cap for those that can afford it and a lower cap for a second and third division comps. It would increase the number of teams and give more young kids their chance to play, even if it is second or third division.  I would force leagues clubs to spend money on their junior comps and pay bonuses for those that do. ie: any team that can increase their juniors by 10% get a 10% increase in their salary cap.

Winners of lower divisions would be invited to move up a division and losers of a division would be moved down, similar to the way soccer works in England. Greater numbers involved in the game mean greater income, more interest for sponsors and more loyalty from fans.

Answer 8

Darren, there should be rule changes to the game. The 10 metre rule leaves the game too open for dummy half running. Its not that pretty to watch and gets boring. Go back to 5 metre rule. Also restrict dummy half running by having turn over or scrum if dummy half caught in possession.

Also make the ball competitive again. Competitive scrums, striking for the ball in the play the ball, stealing ball in tackle. The fact that the ball could change hands adds to the excitement of the game.

For our players leaving, until we can match overseas money there is not a lot we can do. On the bright side these things do come in cycles. First it was our players going to England, then their players came out here, now we're going back again. The salary cap while restrictive does make for a more even comp.