: Thu Mar 19, 2009 4:03 pm  

I've said for years that the Regal Trophy should be resurrected as a pre-season tournament, which should rid us of all these awful pre-season friendlies. It would be ideal to whet our appetites for the Super League and lower league seasons, as well as a great and more meaningful way of getting teams up to match fitness, in readiness for the respective leagues.

Put this in with a better promoted Challenge Cup at Wembley and we have a good, complete, meaningful season.

: Thu Mar 19, 2009 4:05 pm  

ROBINSON wrote:

I've said for years that the Regal Trophy should be resurrected as a pre-season tournament, which should rid us of all these awful pre-season friendlies. It would be ideal to whet our appetites for the Super League season, as well as a great and more meaningful way of getting teams up to match fitness.

Put this in with a better promoted Challenge Cup at Wembley and we have a good, complete, meaningful season.

I used to hold this view until I thought teams like Wakey/Cas/KR etc will see this as a trophy they could win, hitting peak fitness too early and probably burning out even earlier in the season than they already do.

: Thu Mar 19, 2009 4:09 pm  

Dico wrote:

I used to hold this view until I thought teams like Wakey/Cas/KR etc will see this as a trophy they could win, hitting peak fitness too early and probably burning out even earlier in the season than they already do.

I'm not sure why any team would allow themselves to do that. Everyone knows that Super League is the one to win, and in any case, if they CAN win the Regal Trophy, then surely they must then believe they have the ability to go on and win Super League.

: Thu Mar 19, 2009 4:11 pm  

hmm no because teams like Leeds/Saints will put out all reserve sides whereas I reckon the lower league sides would put out near full strength teams to try and get some silverware. Either way come week 20 they'll be low on gas. Sinfield or Peacock (cant remember which) already said they had to start this season full throttle due to the WCC whereas Saints could take it easy for a while, which is what the top clubs do early on

: Thu Mar 19, 2009 4:13 pm  

SO basically what you're saying is that you can find one half-arsed idea why it should not happen, rather than looking at the many positives the introduction of this trophy can bring?

It's no wonder our game continues to stay in the dark ages.

: Thu Mar 19, 2009 4:28 pm  

I don't see why not. You could integrate it into the NRC by way of qualifying from the groups. I also like the idea of having the SL reserves involved, as long as the games are on different days to SL games so that fans can make it to the game. I'm sure the likes of Leeds, Wigan, Hull, Saints and Bradford will get behind it in at least equal numbers to the likes of the top Championship sides.

As for Gateshead and Skolars, (and Celtic and Quins) simple. Skolars to Lancashire Cup, Gateshead to Yorkshire Cup. The NSW and QLD Cup has teams from Perth and Auckland in. Just call them "invitational" teams. Toulouse and Catalans can stick to the Lord Derby Cup.

: Fri Mar 27, 2009 11:40 am  

Dux wrote:

I'd go with something like that. There's no way SL clubs can accommodate more games, but if they could put out under 21 sides it would give the country's elite youngsters some experience of a more intense level of competition than they currently get in reserve grade rugby and would provide the spectators and CH/CH1 clubs with some novelty value.

I like that idea. What if we played with an old school 5m offside line? This would take some of the advantage away from the higher fitness levels of the full time teams and put a little bit more emphesis on graft and craft?

: Fri Mar 27, 2009 5:24 pm  

By putting the academy SL teams in a Lancs/Yorks cup you might also get more people watching the academy players than usual.

Another bonus

: Fri Mar 27, 2009 6:24 pm  

Offside Monkey wrote:

I like that idea. What if we played with an old school 5m offside line? This would take some of the advantage away from the higher fitness levels of the full time teams and put a little bit more emphesis on graft and craft?

I think the championship sides would be too strong for the under 21's as a general rule, no need for 5m. Could be wrong on that but the CH is a higher standard than u21's.

SO basically what you're saying is that you can find one half-arsed idea why it should not happen, rather than looking at the many positives the introduction of this trophy can bring?

It's no wonder our game continues to stay in the dark ages.

Nope i'm telling you why we already get plenty of upsets in the beginning ten weeks before Saints or Leeds hit their straps in about round 8 and go on 17 match unbeaten runs to the finals series'.
This concept is a decent idea, for the reserves. If a couple of high profile players need a bit of match practice, why not throw 2 or 3 in as a limit but it shouldn't be remotely a first team competition for SL sides.

: Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:30 pm  

What happens if someone outside super league won it? how would they be a wild card?