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Message: [QUOTE="Coxy, post: 2218379, member: 1764"] "Our sport's lived for 100 years, and it's stronger now than it's ever been, it will never die"....yes, I've heard that 1000 times. Thing is "dying" is relative. It could, and most likely will, become a minor sport by comparison to soccer and AFL in the next 20-30 years. 5 or so years ago soccer got Frank Lowy in, did a massive bit of soul searching, completely ripped apart the fabric of the sport in Australia and reinvented itself. Since then they have developed a growing national league, and back to back world cup appearances for the national team and growing international respect. What's league done? Implemented a strict salary cap ensuring an even competition...not a BETTER competition, an even one...and added a 16th team to an already financially stretched competition. Meanwhile done little to improve the international game (Tri Nations and World Cup has had some effect I admit), and continue to bask in the success and popularity of State of Origin. If what I've predicted above happens, Origin becomes less star studded, therefore less popular (it's already far less intense than it was even a decade ago). Rugby League tried to shake itself up post-Super League with the commitment to reduce to 14 teams etc, but they did it all wrong. They did it trying to just cut a couple of teams. They need to start from scratch. Cancel all licenses. Reinvent the board of control - a SINGLE body of control to govern the sport nationally. Instigate a 12-team national competition and invite applications to licenses. Play it as a 22-round competition, starting in February and finishing in August. Have Origin immediately after along with a Pacific Cup. And then Tri-Nations in October. That's my view. but I would hope a Frank Lowy or similar could come in and provide a completely impartial view and restructure things accordingly. It has to happen and it has to happen in the next 5 years. It will cause pain. But it will also reinvigorate a sport that is slowly dying from the inside out. [/QUOTE]

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