Re: Sweet smell of success....... : Wed Oct 15, 2014 7:58 am  

Sal Paradise wrote:

Not for me either why take 5 mins to restart a game when you can achieve the same result in 30 seconds.

The priorities need to change - more focus is needed on attacking structures and plays. It appears to me coaches are more focused on conceding less rather than scoring more than the opposition. The point of franchising was to remove relegation so teams could play in a more expansive way. If you have coaches who cannot coach attack e.g. McDermott then you have problems with removing the sterility of play at some sides

I agree. Not sure how you impose such a change in priority though?

Re: Sweet smell of success....... : Wed Oct 15, 2014 8:10 am  

El Diablo wrote:

I agree. Not sure how you impose such a change in priority though?

It has to come from the top - they have to employ coaches who want to play a style of attacking rugby that appeals to the customers. Winning isn't everything its important but the way in which you play is also important. Leeds won the CC but for many it was a hollow victory because of the style of the play.

Re: Sweet smell of success....... : Wed Oct 15, 2014 8:21 am  

Sal Paradise wrote:

It has to come from the top - they have to employ coaches who want to play a style of attacking rugby that appeals to the customers. Winning isn't everything its important but the way in which you play is also important. Leeds won the CC but for many it was a hollow victory because of the style of the play.

That has to come from clubs though. It's hard for the RFL to influence that. We could think about RU-esque bonus points for tries scored, but I'm not sure that would work in a sport where 5-6 tries plus for the winners are already a pretty common occurrence.

I work in HE, and I got chatting to a guy from the uni RL team in the gym the other week. The RFL are investing in the sport in universities, which seems a good move (given that 51% of 18 year olds go to uni now - don't get into the rights and wrongs of that, I haven't got time...).

I keep wondering whether the RFL could ringfence some of the new TV money for an elite academy system, and then run a draft system for its products, keeping them off the salary cap, for 5 years or so after they "graduate". A funded scholarship scheme for universities to take the top 100 or so 17-18 year olds. A stronger university game, draft system. Egalitarian distribution of talent, and more freedom for clubs to pay the elite seniors within the cap. Unis would snap your hand off.

Naturally I highlight the pros, there would be cons of course.

Re: Sweet smell of success....... : Wed Oct 15, 2014 8:37 am  

From the top I meant the CEO of the clubs not uncle Nigel.

Perhaps you could have regional academies run by the RFL where all players under age of 18 are developed. Qualified coaches could concentrate on developing their skill sets rather than the priorities some clubs appear to have. At that point you could have a draft system where the bottom side gets first pick or sells the pick.

Re: Sweet smell of success....... : Wed Oct 15, 2014 8:42 am  

I guess the reality is that whatever else happens, the sport has to drive revenues up to a point where the salary cap can be increased without creating massive top to bottom disparities. Otherwise we will continue to struggle to keep the best players we develop.

Re: Sweet smell of success....... : Wed Oct 15, 2014 8:51 am  

Sal Paradise wrote:

From the top I meant the CEO of the clubs not uncle Nigel.

Perhaps you could have regional academies run by the RFL where all players under age of 18 are developed. Qualified coaches could concentrate on developing their skill sets rather than the priorities some clubs appear to have. At that point you could have a draft system where the bottom side gets first pick or sells the pick.

Would agree with centralised academy's, would never agree with draft systems. It is the most stupidest concept ever is draft systems. Works in NFL due to the vast amounts of money earned, and the huge differences between teams which limits a favouring to one team. But in our game, we have to think about the players themselves too, who have a bigger burning desire than just the money, and have ambitions to play for a certain team.

Re: Sweet smell of success....... : Wed Oct 15, 2014 10:41 am  

On scrums I agree that's the danger however I don't see scrums going the same way as in Union as the rest of the game is so different and requires players to have the mobility and skills not necessary for Union props, hookers and second rowers.

As for whether coaches prioritise attack, from what I know, they most certainly do. The vast majority of training on the field is on attacking structures and shapes.

But defence has become easier to coach and train players as it's almost scientific, whereas attack isn't (unless you're Wigan).

Re: Sweet smell of success....... : Wed Oct 15, 2014 10:53 am  

Him wrote:

On scrums I agree that's the danger however I don't see scrums going the same way as in Union as the rest of the game is so different and requires players to have the mobility and skills not necessary for Union props, hookers and second rowers.

As for whether coaches prioritise attack, from what I know, they most certainly do. The vast majority of training on the field is on attacking structures and shapes.

But defence has become easier to coach and train players as it's almost scientific, whereas attack isn't (unless you're Wigan).

If Leeds prioritise attacking how come our structures and options are so bad?

Defence becomes easier if the attack doesn't pose the threats it should. Whenever I see England/GB play Australia we always seem to struggle with simple decoy runners and two men plays? Look how many times Wigan are able to create overlaps out wide through very structured attack that should be easy to defend against.

Re: Sweet smell of success....... : Wed Oct 15, 2014 10:58 am  

Gotcha wrote:

Would agree with centralised academy's, would never agree with draft systems. It is the most stupidest concept ever is draft systems. Works in NFL due to the vast amounts of money earned, and the huge differences between teams which limits a favouring to one team. But in our game, we have to think about the players themselves too, who have a bigger burning desire than just the money, and have ambitions to play for a certain team.

So you are saying no change in the make up of the top sides as they will simply mop up the best talent through a centralised system. I n fact it could be even worse with a certain team taking youngsters they don't need to prevent other sides getting them

Re: Sweet smell of success....... : Wed Oct 15, 2014 12:00 pm  

Sal Paradise wrote:

So you are saying no change in the make up of the top sides as they will simply mop up the best talent through a centralised system. I n fact it could be even worse with a certain team taking youngsters they don't need to prevent other sides getting them

No, that wasn't what I said. I said I did not agree with a draft system, and that it was the stupidest of concepts, and that players should have a choice in where they go. If that happens to be a top club, then so be it, but playing for a poorly run club at the bottom of the league each year is no way to develop talent.