It Doesn't Quite Add Up

Today the RFL announced a brand-new, ultra confusing points method for the National Leagues for 2007.











Well, it's not that confusing, but it's more complicated than a league points system probably needs to be. Gone is the simple two points for a win, one for a draw and none for a loss. This year will will see National League One and Two as well as the Northern Rail Cup sides pick up three points for a win, two for a draw and one for a defeat of 12 points or less.

All other competitions, including Super League will still maintain the traditional 2-1-0 format, with the new system appearing to be an experimental system.

The idea is to create more competitive games by giving sides something to play for when a game appears dead. In the 'old' system, being 18 points down with 5 minutes to go would struggle to motivate event the most enthusiastic of players, the new system will give them the incentive of one futher competition point should they manage to get over the whitewash.
It's an idea that has been used in Rugby Union. In the 15-man game, teams can pick-up bonus points for scoring four tries or more and for losing by less than eight points.
It's success has been difficult to gauge. Complete thumpings are becoming less common, but the salary cap, international weeks and rule changes have arguably had more of a influence than the offer of consolation points ever will so the question remains, will we see a difference?

Here's how last season's National League 1 table ended:
1. Hull KR - 32pts
2. Widnes - 28pts
3. Leigh - 26pts
4. Whitehaven - 25pts
5. Rochdale - 16pts
6. Batley - 16pts
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7. Halifax - 14pts
8. Doncaster - 13pts
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9. York - 10pts
10. Oldham - 0pts

And here's how it would have looked under the new system:
1. Hull KR - 48pts
2. Widnes - 42pts
3. Leigh - 42pts
4. Whitehaven - 39pts
5. Rochdale - 29pts
6. Batley - 28pts
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7. Halifax - 27pts
8. Doncaster - 26pts
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9. York - 20pts
10. Oldham - 2pts
(with thanks to www.blackandwhites.co.uk for the calculations)

Fundamentaly, there is no difference. Each team remains in the same position. What you can see though is a more competitive competition, particuarly in mid-table. Under the new system, Doncaster could have gone into the last game of the season with the possibility of securing a play-off berth. As it was, their final outing of 2006 was meaningless as far as they were concerned.

I wouldn't expect the new format to get the thumps up from supporters and to be honest, it's not an idea I'm overly keen on. Perhaps the new format will add fuel to the Eurosport fire, making the league more attractive to a prospective broadcaster.

Like with all experiements, it's easy to hold your hands up if things don't as you planned. The 2-1-0 system was simple and functional. We'll wait and see what chaos may or may not ensue with this one.

Robins to Rock Super League?

Sunday's NL1 Grand Final victory over Widnes saw Hull KR achieve what they thoroughly deserved and will see them rubbing shoulders with the game's elite in Super League XII.



After leading the National League table from start to finish, a season in which included 15 consecutive league victories, a National Rail Cup Final and a Challenge Cup semi-final it was only right that Justin Morgan's young side ended off the year with a convincing victory over the Vikings at Warrington.

But for all the celebrations, the hard work now begins to ensure that the Robins don't follow the same path as Leigh Centurions and Castleford by dropping straight back down to where they once came within the space of twelve months. Coach Justin Morgan believes that he'll need around 12 new faces at Craven Park to give Hull a fighting chance of avoiding the drop and already claims to have some "irons in the fire" with regards to new players coming in.

So are Hull KR capable of avoiding the drop? Probably not.

The basis of the Hull side is excellent. The club has a strong blend of young talent such as Scott Murrell, Ben Cockayne, Tommy Gallagher and Byron Ford alongside the experienced heads of Francis Stephenson, Makali Aizue and Michael Smith but that alone won't keep them up.
The full-time professionals of the Rovers stood out amongst a largely semi-pro league. Whilst the likes of Widnes and Leigh were also both full-time, those sides were still left picking up the pieces of last season's relegation and so that left KR as the most talented squad in the National League.

Next season the men from East Hull will be akin to tadpoles, let alone small fish, in a very big pond and whilst they may well compete in some fixtures, the professionalism, skill and fitness of the current band of England's higher reaches will prove the difference.

As for attracting the 12 players required to Craven Park, that could prove much more difficult that people may imagine. Ryan McGoldrick and Fui Fui Moi Moi are names currently being touted but more is needed.
The nature of the Rugby League transfer market and the 'anti-tamper' system means that most available players are already committed to new contracts with other clubs. No player will be prepared to hang around for a National League One side, in the hope that they will achieve promotion. That effectively means that Hull KR are browsing the 'clearance' section of the market. The players that are around at this stage of the season are the players that no over club wants on it's books.

Whilst Hull KR may well have an impressive looking side by the time they kick off their Super League careers in February, the fact remains that whatever side they do eventually put together, the traditional relegation candidates such as Salford, Wakefield and Harlequins have also moved on and that will ultimately leave the Robins stranded at the foot of the table.

I'm no fan of automation promotion and relegation. Not because I'm anti-lower league but because the current system leaves the promoted side with too high a mountain to climb.
English Rugby League is not like football. The sport cannot support 25-30 "big" clubs with resources in abundance. The talent pool for players we have in this country and the current transfer system means that for promoted sides, staying in Super League is fast becoming a futile exercise.
Instead, abolishing automatic promotion and relegation will increase the talent pool by vastly reducing the need for clubs to circumvent the foreigners quota through the Kolpak ruling. By doing this, they will be able to experiment exposing their young players to first team rugby, without fear of the repercussions should the experiment fail.

Enjoy Super League Rovers, it'll be over pretty soon.

National League Finals Day Preview

This weekend promises to be a huge weekend in the World of Rugby League. With the Grand Final Eliminator already gone, the focus is now on the LHF National Leagues and the Grand Final's of NL1, 2 and 3.






In what is always a feast of Rugby League and an event which is a superb advert for the lower leagues, four teams will be gunning for promotion and even though the other two are just playing for bragging rights, fans heading to Warrington this Sunday will be in for a treat.
Here, The One Pointer goes over the runners and riders:


LHF National League Three Final
Bramley Buffaloes vs Hemel Stags

Bramley will go into the game as favourites against Hemel in the day's opening fixture. Despite there being no promotion at stake, last years final showed that the silverware on offer provides enough incentive.





Last years beaten finalists ended the season as league leaders and in the sides last two meetings, have posted a combined 68 points, despite playing much of their 38-12 victory in August with just 12 men.
Hemel have however upset Paul Cook's men, registering a 24-20 victory at Bramley back in May and so the Buffaloes will be wary of complacency as they look to right the wrongs of last season.

The One Pointer Prediction: Bramley by 10 pts



LHF National League Two Final
Sheffield Eagles vs Swinton Lions

On the road to Warrington, Swinton have completely ignored the script. The side that was supposed to be brushed aside by Featherstone and then walloped by Celtic Crusaders now find themselves one game away from the most remarkable play-off runs in NL2's short history.

Sheffield Eagles go into the game as red-hot favourites after easing past the Crusaders in the qualifying game although the Lions, bouyed by their remarkable run are a battle-hardened side who will fancy their chances of causing an upset. Expect this game to see-saw for the full 80 mins but I believe that Sheffield's class will be enough to just see them through.

The One Pointer Prediction: Sheffield by 7 pts



LHF National League One Final
Hull KR vs Widnes Vikings

It doesn't get in tougher than this. To the winner, a place amongst the game's elite in Super League. Both clubs believe that they should be rubbing shoulders with the best in the country yet only one side will take the place of Castleford next year.



It's too close to call. Hull KR are the minor premiers and beat Widnes in the qualifying game at Craven Park whilst Widnes, looking to bounce straight back from relegation last year, will be able to turn to the old heads of Barrie McDermott and Dennis Moran for inspiration and the experince of coaxch Steve McCormack, leading a side on his third consecutive Grand Final.
Expect a tense, low scoring game. The tension will be much greater than the qualifier two weeks ago and with so much at stake, mistakes will be made. This could come down to just one kick.

The One Pointer Prediction: Hull KR by 2 pts

For all of you heading to Warrington this Sunday, enjoy the day.