: Sat Mar 14, 2009 1:33 am  

Catalancs wrote:

ive said on other threads that the standard of SL has declined, especially so far this season, but at the same time the standard of the six nations has been disappointing. im still waiting for a game to grip me and get me to shout at the telly.

Its still early days. I don't think the short off season helps. If the standard of rugby is still average in 8 or 9 weeks fine I think then we should start asking questions.

: Sat Mar 14, 2009 1:34 am  

Catalancs wrote:

ive said on other threads that the standard of SL has declined, especially so far this season, but at the same time the standard of the six nations has been disappointing. im still waiting for a game to grip me and get me to shout at the telly.

Same here but it does not mean that the skill level is worse than SL.

: Sat Mar 14, 2009 1:35 am  

jonh wrote:

I feel we have become reliant on the support of the comemtators like the WWE or UFC to make our game seem exciting. The skills in my opinion have fallen significantly in the last few years.

a sky sports trait that stretches from football through darts and all the way to rugby.
i usually watch sky with the sound off and put the radio on. when you compare it's amazing how little stevo knows about the modern game and eddie knows about the game in general.

: Sat Mar 14, 2009 1:37 am  

AJ wrote:

Noone who is honest about the sport can disagree.

Saints fans won't, but they are one of the worst examples.

The obsession with "Scoot" and quick PTB has taken our game so far backwards I wonder if we will ever recover.

Indeed, and now it seems the RFL are taking some steps to change this, and surely we have to be fair and give the players a little time to adapt to the change in style?

: Sat Mar 14, 2009 1:38 am  

John D H wrote:

Indeed, and now it seems the RFL are taking some steps to change this, and surely we have to be fair and give the players a little time to adapt to the change in style?

We do, but when some of our most respected players are moaning about it, it doesnt really help does it.

: Sat Mar 14, 2009 1:40 am  

jonh wrote:

Same here but it does not mean that the skill level is worse than SL.

Well I would certainly say its not better, and when you consider the 6 nations is one of the top international tournaments in union that strikes me as pretty poor.

: Sat Mar 14, 2009 1:42 am  

AJ wrote:

We do, but when some of our most respected players are moaning about it, it doesnt really help does it.

Nope, and I disagree with them. And KC is going to moan about slow play the balls his entire career has been based on Saints being allowed to play the ball quickly.

: Sat Mar 14, 2009 1:43 am  

John D H wrote:

Nope, and I disagree with them. And KC is going to moan about slow play the balls his entire career has been based on Saints being allowed to play the ball quickly.

And forward passes, but thats not really the issue currently

: Sat Mar 14, 2009 1:44 am  

AJ wrote:

And forward passes, but thats not really the issue currently

classic

: Sat Mar 14, 2009 1:45 am  

John D H wrote:

Well I would certainly say its not better, and when you consider the 6 nations is one of the top international tournaments in union that strikes me as pretty poor.

Did you fail to see the skills of the England team in the World Cup?

Union teams can generally take the ball to the line pass or take contact, we now seem incapable of both these skills let alone draw a man or create space for a player which is so much harder in union.

The game needs a major kick in the booty, or it will become extinct.