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Super League returns: English clubs should forget NRL and turn on the style in 2017

By Dave WoodsBBC rugby league correspondent

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Leaguecomments114

Wigan Warriors fan
Wigan fans had plenty to cheer as the Warriors lifted the Super League trophy in 2016

Come on, Super League, entertain us!

As much as rugby league remains 'the greatest game' to its thousands of devotees, there is a sense that the sport at the top level needs some of its flair back.

And it's up to the players and coaches to act on their licence to thrill as the new campaign arrives.

There has been a growing grumble in recent years that Super League has lost its zip - that the skill factor has often been missing.

Rugby league has always evolved to mirror success and Australia's NRL is the market leader on the field with its adherence to highly disciplined structure and low-risk plays.

But should that be the English way?

The game over here used to pride itself on its risk-takers and chance-makers. But percentages, position and possession have been the prevailing mindset of late.

But at least two Super League coaches will buck the trend in 2017.

And both have a chance to lead their sides to silverware to re-establish the prototype of invention and entertainment as a way of winning matches and competitions.

Castleford Tigers have already courted plenty of admirers with their approach to the game under coach Daryl Powell.

And Powell will remain fixed on putting smiles on faces when he sets up his side for a much-fancied crack at success this year.

"I think sport should be entertaining," says Powell. "When you talk to players, you want them to be excited about how you play. For me it's a crucial part of coaching.

"It needs to be effective, don't get me wrong, but I want the players to show what they can do.

"We work so hard on skills on such a consistent basis that there's no point working so hard on those skills if you don't try to exploit them to break defences down.

"We work our backsides off to be able to create things and look like we're an entertaining team.

"All coaches have their own different opinions and that's fine - we're all different. But for me, I think there's a way the game should be played.

"I genuinely enjoy watching us play."

And with England heading to the World Cup at the end of this year, Powell also firmly believes that putting adventure ahead of conservatism is the only way to tame the Kangaroos and Kiwis.

"We're different to Australia. We're not going to beat them at their own game, there isn't a chance. So for me I think we could be a blueprint," he added.

Tom Lineman
Warrington Wolves won the League Leaders Shield in 2016

'It isn't just winning, it needs to be done in a certain style'

'Entertainment First' is a philosophy that Warrington coach Tony Smith is also keen to expound.

The Wolves have been catching the eye with their fluency in recent years - a style that won them the League Leaders Shield and got them to two finals in 2016.

And he would love to see more clubs playing the same way.

"The styles that us coaches bring in, or influences from other competitions, maybe stifle our game," said Smith.

"I think we've got to understand what we want as an entertainment and we've got to make our rules and regulations fit to that standard.

"We need to make sure we produce something that people out there in the stands want to watch and enjoy.

"It isn't just about winning, it needs to be done in a certain style. We're trying to be a bit more expansive this year and hopefully we've got a bit more creativity in our ranks."

Mimicking the NRL is not the only way to success. Even the Aussies would agree.

Former coach and Channel 9 pundit Phil 'Gus' Gould recently tweeted: "English football has lost its identity. It has spent the last 30 years trying to play like Australia. How's that plan working?"

Maybe 2017 could be the year the Super League regains its identity, with some breath-taking thrills and spills along the way, and gets us all smiling all the way to the Grand Final.

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114 comments

  • Comment posted by Me1, at 16:25 7 Feb 2017

    Can those who don't watch League please reframe from commenting. I've seen some incredible sporting events both live and on TV and I can tell you for certain that NOTHING can match the drama of HKR v Giants in the Middle 8s last season or the skill and passion of the 2016 Grand Final, Old Trafford full. Then of course there's Magic Weekend. 2 days, 6 games, 1 stadium. Get to there to believe it.

  • Comment posted by slithy-toves, at 23:00 7 Feb 2017

    62. sabre84

    "Quite possibly the most boring sport iv ever watched, and the viewing figues support it"

    Which begs two questions:

    (1) why have you actively sought out a page on a sport you dislike and taken the time to comment upon it?

    And

    (2) which audience research statistics are you using, and is your interpretation at all suffering from apples & oranges bias?

  • Comment posted by Leaguefan, at 15:39 7 Feb 2017

    Rugby League, no matter what level has far more player involvement and spectator interest constantly than any other sport. It definitely has the toughest fastest most physically active players of any sport yet so many are unaware of how good the game is. They are missing out on so much.

  • Comment posted by Abe Frohman, at 16:01 7 Feb 2017

    @3 westernbulldog - Passionate tourists with selfie sticks and half and half scarves that barely know the words of any of the chants at your typical Premier League game you mean? No thanks pal. Last years Grand Final was raucous and a spectacle to behold. Get yourself down there if you want to feel the passion of a crowd at an entertaining game being held at OT.

  • Comment posted by Si_1985 , at 16:31 7 Feb 2017

    I'm a League fan of 17 years now, and i do believe the game has lost that little bit of the excitement factor. Games in the early-mid 2000's between the big teams at the time such as Bradford, Leeds, Saints and Wigan were big deals. JJB, Odsal and Headingley were packed with over 20k fans.. sadly i don't recall the last time the DW looked full for the St Helens derby.

  • Comment posted by saddletramp , at 16:06 7 Feb 2017

    The RU loving BBC slagging off Rugby league what a surprise? "It needs some flair" Didn't you watch that England v France borefest at the weekend ?

  • Comment posted by Hymie, at 16:18 7 Feb 2017

    The comment from Western Bulldog...do you mean league should become more like Soccer? Really? Soccer lost it's soul and became characterless years ago. It is a mass business making as much money as possible from the drones who follow it.

    League is still about passion, skill, fitness and being as hard as nails.

  • Comment posted by Norman Adder, at 15:51 7 Feb 2017

    Super League has become marginalised thanks to Sky Sports. If you don't subscribe to Sky and live outside the catchment area of a team, what is there to enthuse about?

  • Comment posted by Bearman, at 23:17 7 Feb 2017

    I cannot wait for the new season. Rugby League has everything for me. Fantastic athletes everyone fit as a butchers dog. The focus is on handling and scoring tries.
    I have to smile when fans of other sports feel they have to go onto rugby league threads to criticise RL. They must be so insecure and from some of the games they watch they have every reason to be insecure.

  • Comment posted by craig hallora , at 17:03 7 Feb 2017

    I think this is a fair article, over the last few years super league has become boring and sterile in my opinion (you are welcome to disagree).

    I'm a league lad through and through but when a boring union games beats us hands down in the commercial market, we can't moan if our product isn't right.

  • Comment posted by antmx, at 16:40 7 Feb 2017

    I supported Hull at Wembley and went to watch the England v Aus game at the QE stadium. Wembley was fantastic, amazing atmosphere. Naturally the national game was a bit more muted, more so being at a crap stadium.
    I haven't been to watch a footy match for years & can't even get through a full 90 mins on the telly without getting bored. I hope Superleague grows, and continues to entertain.

  • Comment posted by slithy-toves, at 10:43 8 Feb 2017

    73. sabre84

    "@64 well first answer to your question, i can comment on anything i like, its called free speech"

    You do indeed have that right. However, I asked *why* you seek to exercise that right on a subject you have admitted having no interest in?

    Thank you also for the pointers to stats. Again, my question related to "audience" not "crowds". But you didn't answer for some reason.

  • Comment posted by slithy-toves, at 16:51 7 Feb 2017

    This year's competition will be all the better for culminating in the World Cup in Australia.

    Just as long as the overall winner of the GF *isn't* Wigan, St Helens or Leeds it will be a good year for the game. And if Warrington can beat Brisbane next week, it will get off to a flyer!

  • Comment posted by SteveW, at 20:05 7 Feb 2017

    Really missed RL, cant wait for the new season to start.

    If it is a cult following (Umpteenth_time_user save 606) its a pretty big one and one I'm proud to be in. Good of you to comment though

  • Comment posted by Enjoy Yourself, at 15:12 8 Feb 2017

    93. Posted by Millie Marmite on
    28 minutes ago
    Rugby League, which type is that? Is that the proper internationally renowned Rugby, or is it the sort played up north where everyone wears flat hats, plays dominoes, and races whippets and pigeons?
    --------
    It's the one where they score tries.

    Flat caps btw. And we don't all play dominoes.

  • Comment posted by SportsProphet, at 00:37 8 Feb 2017

    The season is upon us. Thank goodness! My wish for 2017...

    CC and GF to be won by neither Wolves, Warriors or Saints.

    There are a few administrative flaws which needs addressing in UK, but as far as action and entertainment is concerned, in my opinion RL is rarely rivalled.

    As for trolls, Im not going to fall into that old trap. I encourage other RL enthusiasts to similarly ignore them.

  • Comment posted by Chemi, at 21:55 7 Feb 2017

    The article just points out that RL should focus on being an exciting game, not follow the NRL. Without the excitement there eventually might not be an England team to play the Aussies. Anyone that says Dave Woods does not support RL in the media is a bit dull. Just about one of the most vociferous advocates of the game and now official BBC correspondent

  • Comment posted by Standoff6, at 21:24 7 Feb 2017

    @shewy67, I coach kids union, and when we play union teams in league areas, the kids are by far better ball handlers than our lot, due to them playing league in the summer and getting lots of ball in hand. handling skills in league far outweigh union as risks can be taken as you don't lose the ball. they start at the same age and tackle earlier. I am taking my lad play league to learn these skills

  • Comment posted by User0533383752, at 17:06 7 Feb 2017

    Shouldn't have sold their souls to Sky.

  • Comment posted by Me1, at 14:18 8 Feb 2017

    It's tragic that people have to seek out HYS on topics they don't like.
    I'm not a fan of Speedway, I appreciate the skill but it's not my cup of tea. So I don't watch it and certainly don't comment on an article about it. Sad people.
    Anyway. SL is back!!! FANTASTIC. NRL is back soon!!! Even better.
    Tickets bought. TV ready. Bring on the drama.

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