2020 RL Season In Review

NRL: The best pro comp in the world just got better in 2021. The standard was high and despite Covid, went off better than could be expected. The NZ Warriors were most affected and got respect for the sacrifice of locating in another country to fulfil their match schedule.

The Penrith Panthers (in black, above) were outstanding all season. The Melbourne Storm was just behind them and were both worthy grand finalists. The more experienced Storm took out the big one.  

Super League: The northern hemisphere's pro comp continued to lose ground, standard-wise. It even managed to bleed the Toronto club dry, which has now been thrown on the scrap heap. This was a golden opportunity to expand the game, not advance self-interest. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot!

As for on-field success, the Leeds Rhinos won the cup, Wigan the league and St Helens the grand final. Nice to have the trophies shared around. 

The team to replace Toronto could have been a second French side but instead, Leigh did. In case you don't know, its located within the Wigan metropolitan borough. Pull up the drawbridge lads. On a more positive note, a team from Newcastle is moving up a division to replace Leigh in the second division Championship. 

Player welfare: Rugby league is a tough sport, not helped by the huge, rapidly repeated impacts players subject each other to. Reducing the defensive line from ten to five metres would lessen the jarring. Also, taking a much stricter stance on late tackles after a player passes the ball is a must. The whiplash is damaging to the brain. 

As to why nothing has been done is apathetic, to say the least. I wrote to the RFL in England some years back, warning them of future lawsuits if nothing was done. I heard nothing back and nothing changed. I think litigation is just starting and those in charge can only blame themselves. 

True, the fans want action but player welfare comes first. Often a series of changes are required, as one in isolation can adversely affect the game greatly. I put a series of suggestions which can be read by clicking here. They are a framework only but I tried to seek a restructuring of rules in a way that reduces brain trauma while retaining plenty of action.

2021: The World Cup is scheduled to be played in the UK, but the way the Covid virus is persisting, I don't think it's a given. Empty stadiums aren't right for such an event. 

Best of the Australasian Elite 1995-2020

I wanted to show the historical best NRL sides as far back as possible. Unfortunately, prior to 1995 there were upheavals as teams came went and amalgamated. It's been more settled since 1995, so the last 25 years will have to do. 

Changes since 1995: 

Melbourne Storm: Arrived 1998, Wests Tigers: Formed 1999, North Sydney: Left in 2000, South Sydney: Absent 2000-2001, Gold Coast Titans: Arrived 2007.                         

Points are allocated not according to participation, but rather, success. Only teams near the top of any given season are given points. There are two columns, Aus for domestic points and WCC for the World Club Challenge, pitting the top Sides from the two pro competitions. I haven’t combined them.

The Melbourne side is still top although missing a few years. They were stripped of some titles for financial irregularities but no side took the mantles vacated. If a title is going to be stripped, then those below should move up. Either that or future punishments should be enforced, which happened as well. Seeing as the whole thing was so badly handled by the NRL in my eyes, I counted all titles won. 

Clubs from Sydney have fared better due to less travel and wealthy Leagues Clubs to back them. The NZ side has often been disadvantaged, typical of the way rugby league handles expansion. The club has more recently been treated better but the ownership of late hasn't been as it should. 

Regionally, NSW has chalked up 60.7% of the points, with Queensland dragging up the rear on 16.3% They do have fewer teams and only one has performed well. In between them comes the Rest category, covering a club from the ACT, Victoria and NZ. Those three outfits took 23% of the total, thanks mainly to the Storm. 

Best of the UK Elite 1961-2020

This is a very brief overview of RL in the UK over the last 60 years. If points are allocated based on success and on not just participation, which teams have been the achievers? Within the UK game, St Helens narrowly takes it from Wigan. If the World Club Challenge is added, amazingly Saints and Wigan can't be separated, with 463 points apiece. 

Moving across to counties on the right of the chart, Yorkshire is the most successful with 44.4% of the total and 1,153 points. Yorkshire has more clubs so are ahead by virtue of that. Lancashire comes in on 40.3% and 1,047. Cheshire would be top if it was done as an average per club. For a small county not known as an RL hotbed, Cheshire has done well. 

France, Cumbria and London have yet to make a significant mark on a game based along the M62 motorway which traverses west to east across the north of England. 

SL Teams Rated : 2020 Top Teams

The 2020 UK season is over, one that was for the most part without live fans. It was still delivered, albeit with not as fixture ladened as it would normally be. The top six are evaluated and ranked below.

6th: 52.94 win %, Hull FC (Yorkshire). 

They managed to gain entry into the finals series in 6th place, then pulled off an upset by defeating the Warrington Wolves. They then got eliminated convincingly by Wigan in the semi-final. Earlier in the season, they made the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup. On the season as a whole, 6th is where they deserve to be ranked. 

5th: 61.54 win %, Catalan Dragons (France). 

Fourth in the league, quarter-finalists in the cup and semi-finalists in the finals series, a grand effort. The travel they have to put in takes a toll and yet they competed well in all competitions. Could they have been ranked higher? I think this about right as they didn't get far enough in any competition.

4th: 70.59 win %, Warrington Wolves (Cheshire). 

Third in the league, with a good points differential. They made the cup semi-finals but disappointing in the finals series, out at the first hurdle. A team that promised more and started well but failed to deliver as the season progressed. 

3rd: 58.82% win percentage, Leeds Rhinos (Yorkshire). 

Fifth in the league and knocked straight out in the finals series 14-26 by the Catalan side doesn't sound like a third-ranked side until we factor in a Challenge Cup final victory. They became more competitive as the season progressed I thought. 

2nd: 70.59% win percentage, St Helens (Lancashire). 

Second in the league and grand final victors (8-4) over Wigan and only second? Well, the cup quarter-final exit was the difference. So runner up by a slender margin.

1st: 76.47% win percentage, Wigan Warriors (Lancashire). 

Wigan came through to take the league title, semi-finalist in the cup and finalist in the grand final. The consistency across all three competitions makes them my winner for the year. Losing a tight grand final by a hair's breadth will be devastating, but they can take consolation in taking out this honour! 

The top half of the league table below.

	Rk	Team	Pl	W	L	Diff	Win %
	1	Wigan Warriors	17	13	4	130	76.47
	2	St Helens	17	12	5	274	70.59
	3	Warrington Wolves	17	12	5	161	70.59
	4	Catalan Dragons	13	5	5	117	61.54
	5	Leeds Rhinos	17	17	7	-21	58.82
	6	Hull FC	17	17	8	-31	52.94

SL Teams Rated : 2020 Also Rans

Hull FC vs Salford Red Devils

 

The 2020 regular season has concluded. I held back writing about it until it was clear the Covid-19 didn't take any sides out of the finals. The teams below are now done for the season. How did they go?

12th: 0 win %, Toronto Wolfpack (Canada).

It's been reported here and elsewhere about the conditions that the Canadian RL club was forced to accept before given entry. That draconian treatment, coupled with some poor management decisions, limited finances by the owner and then this pandemic forced them to pull out of the competition. All results were expunged. How it all panned out is a sobering reminder of what a dysfunctional state the elite part of RL in the UK is in. 

11th: 17.65 win %, Hull KR (Humberside).

Thankfully there was no demotion this year, otherwise, this side was going down. With a very poor win percentage and scarcely competitive at this level, a lot is going to have to happen before 2021. It's still not decided if there will be relegation next year. Hull KR will be hoping there isn't.

10th: 26.32 win %, Wakefield Trinity (Yorkshire).

The season was variable for Trinity. On a good day, they were a handful for anyone but unfortunately, that didn't happen often enough. The coach and owner weren't afraid to publicly criticise the effort of the players, not an approach I would have thought professional. The players finished the season quite strongly. 

9th: 27.78 win %, Salford Red Devils (Lancashire).

Financial issues had Salford docked three wins, otherwise, the side would have finished 7th. They have limited resources and probably should be at the bottom of the league but have been boxing above their weight for a few seasons now.

8th: 37.50 win %, Castleford Tigers (Yorkshire).

A club with aspirations of making the finals but in the end, the win percentage was well short of that. It was a team that didn't impress but occasionally they were a decent side.

7th: 38.89 win %, Huddersfield Giants (Yorkshire).

I felt sorry for this club. They recruited well and were competitive but too often narrowly lost games. I thought they were worth a finals berth but weren't able to achieve that. Losing their coach during the season wasn't helpful either but these things happen.

The next instalment will be the top sides reviewed.

	Rk	Team	Pl	W	L	Diff	Win %
	7	Huddersfield Giants	18	7	11	-49	38.89
	8	Castleford Tigers	16	6	10	-51	37.50
	9	Salford Red Devils	18	5	10	-115	27.78
	10	Wakefield Trinity	19	5	14	-179	26.32
	11	Hull Kingston Rovers	17	3	14	-236	17.65
	12	Toronto Wolfpack	0	-	-	-	0.00

The Luddites Have Won

 

The Toronto Wolfpack came into UK's pro-competition (Super League) by working its way from a third division league. On reaching SL, entry was conditional on the club agreeing that they would taker no share in the TV money spread around the other eleven teams. Normally all twelve get a part of it but now a bigger cut for the other eleven. 

Unfortunately having made the top level, Covid struck and due to the financial strain the owner was under, the club had to pull out of the 2020 season. The owner had to walk and the club had to reapply to remain in SL for 2021. A new owner was prepared to pay off all debts but insisted on their share of the TV money in future. 

Knowing the mentality of the pro clubs in the Super League, I thought this will be a deal-breaker. It's only fair all teams are treated equally, except that the basic precept of justice escaped the SL bosses. The vote was taken and the majority decided Toronto was not to be allowed back into SL. 

The game day in Toronto was fantastic. The carnival atmosphere and the super supportive large crowds that came to enjoy a game they didn't know. It all came together in a way that exceeded my wildest dreams. It was a breath of fresh air for a stale RL competition. 

However, the pro clubs run the game and all they focus on is money, not the larger good of the game. Short term gain is everything and the Wolfpack was deemed as not offering enough financially to be worth the trouble. 

Two new North American clubs are about to enter the UK RL system, hoping to eventually gain access to SL. The door to the top is now closed for NA teams. Will they still want to be part of UK Rugby league? Could they be the basis for a NA league in the near future? I can't answer those questions but I can say is the spirit of Ned Ludd is alive and well among the eight SL clubs that voted to keep Toronto out of SL.

PS. Those that voted for Toronto were Leeds Rhinos, St Helens RLFC, Catalan Dragons and the RFL. They don't deserve to be tarred with the same brush as the others.

NRL Teams Rated : 2020 Top Teams

The top eight moved into a finals series, where teams were eliminated until the finalists were found. The road to that point and the final itself can be found elsewhere but here I will simply rank the sides. The points they achieved in the main round of matches is shown.

8th: 20 points, Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (Sydney).

They were the lowest-ranked of the top eight and went straight out at the first elimination hurdle. There was some class in the team but were the obvious candidate to exit early. Although only losing 20-32 to Canberra, through the season they ended up conceding more than they scored, including this elimination match. 

7th: 23 points, Newcastle Knights (NSW).

I didn't expect the Knights to make the cut but they played well through the season and earned their place here. However, they were always likely to leave at this point and in that they didn't disappoint. Well beaten 20-46 by Souths, I didn't expect more.

6th: 28 points, Sydney Roosters (Sydney).

The team from the eastern side of the city had won the previous two grand finals and for much of the competition played like they were genuine title contenders yet again. But when they approached the business end of the season, their form dipped alarmingly and lost both their finals matches for an early exit. True, both losses were by slender margins but their form warranted their departing.

5th: 30 points, Parramatta Eels (Sydney). The team from the midwest of Sydney did slightly better than I thought they would. Their captain Clint Gutherson was inspirational. They too lost both finals matches to two classy sides. 

4th: 24 points, South Sydney Rabbitohs (Sydney).

This was a team that on its day could demolish any other team. They lost some key players and were not as consistent as they should be. A roster of gifted players can be like that. Winning the first two finals games got them here, but narrowly lost 16-20 to Penrith. Certainly good enough to go all the way, this was the third consecutive season to finish one game short of the final. Ouch!

3rd: 28 points, Canberra Raiders (ACT).

Situated in the capital city, it's not an area one would expect a working-class sport like RL to prosper but they have. The team has been bolstered by taking a punt on importing English players to supplement their own well organised development system. They won both games to make the semi-final but were well beaten 10-30 by Melbourne. They are still a tad short of being good enough to go all the way.

2nd: 37 points, Penrith Panthers (Sydney).

The team from the foot of the mountains in the far west of Sydney went from not making the finals in 2019 to easily winning the league and reaching the final. They put together 17 consecutive wins in the lead up to the big game. In a tough sort such as RL is, that was a huge achievement. They had a poor first half of the final before staging a comeback in the second 40 minutes. Lack of experience in this situation may have been the reason. They will be better for the loss.

1st: 32 points, Melbourne Storm (Victoria).

This is a club in a state where RL isn't that big, but with a clever recruitment system they keep on delivering year after year. Stars retire and they create new stars to fill their boots in a seamless transition of quality that is amazing to behold. Second in the league, they took the final with a devastating first half. The second half effort had the coach less than impressed but in the end yet another title for the team in hostile territory.

	Rk	Team	Pts	W	L	Diff
	1	Penrith Panthers	37	18	1	299
	2	Melbourne Storm	32	16	4	258
	3	Parramatta Eels	30	15	5	104
	4	Sydney Roosters	28	14	6	230
	5	Canberra Raiders	28	14	6	128
	6	South Sydney Rabbitohs	24	12	8	169
	7	Newcastle Knights	23	11	8	47
	8	Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks	20	10	10	0

NRL Teams Rated : 2020 Also Rans

The teams that had their shortened 2020 match regular season cut back further in missing out on the play-offs. Twenty matches for those departing early. For the NZ Warriors (pictured scoring above), surely mixed emotions, not playing in the finals but at last being able to return to New Zealand to see family. This after having to stay in Australia for the season. On to the rankings from the bottom.

16th: 6 points, Brisbane Broncos (Queensland).

A team with a proud history was humiliated this season. They had their longest losing streak in club history of 11 matches, which could be added to at the beginning of the next season, as it's still open-ended. Overall, their points differential was -18 points per game overall 20 games. The team had better players than this result would suggest. It was the first wooden spoon in their history.

15th: 6 points, Canterbury Bulldogs (Sydney).

The poorest team on paper (in my estimation) and therefore my favourite to come last. They went close but a superior points differential saved them. They didn't do badly in that, a -11 points per game for the season. A solid side but that isn’t enough in the NRL.

14th: 10 points, North Queensland Cowboys (Queensland).

I wondered how the club would fare once JT retired a few years back (a former star player). Well, they have struggled and this poor season was about right for the team as it is presently. It goes to show how important a skilful playmaker is if that was ever in question.

13th: 14 points, Manly Sea Eagles (Sydney). The team from the north side of Sydney Harbour had the potential to be playing finals football but fell someway short this season. They didn't seem to be able to play for a full 80 minutes, having good spells but then letting their opponents off the hook.

12th: 14 points, St George-Illawarra Steelers (Sydney/NSW Country).

This unique club straddles both Sydney suburbs and a city further south in the NSW state. I wasn’t expecting them to make the finals and they delivered on that. However, their points differential of just -4 showed they were not far off the pace.

11th: 14 points, Wests Tigers (Sydney).

This was a team I saw as finishing anywhere. It was hard to predict how they would go and as is often the case in a tough competition, such sides often end up at the wrong end of the ladder. -3 points on average were not bad at all.

10th: 16 points, NZ Warriors (Auckland, NZ).

The coronavirus disrupted the team badly in the early part of the season. It wasn't even a given that they could compete. They eventually stayed in Australia away from their families for a prolonged period. At first, they really struggled but gradually a closeness seemed to develop and the latter part of the season went well for them. Their efforts and personal sacrifices the team made earned them much respect. A points differential of -6 points but considering the circumstances, a fine result. Credit to the coaching staff too.

9th: 18 points, Gold Coast Titans (Queensland).

This relatively young club has struggled but with a new coach, they went above my expectations. I was thinking maybe second to bottom but the top of the also-rans instead. A -6 points differential wasn't that flash but they did something they have previously struggled to do, that is win close games. They were last by some distance last season so this was a huge improvement. It will be interesting to see if they can build on the progress in 2021.

	Rk	Team	Pts	W	L	Diff
	9	Gold Coast Titans	18	9	11	-117
	10	New Zealand Warriors	16	8	12	-115
	11	Wests Tigers	14	7	13	-65
	12	St George-Illawarra Dragons	14	7	13	-74
	13	Manly Sea Eagles	14	7	13	-134
	14	Queensland Cowboys	10	9	15	-152
	15	Canterbury Bulldogs	6	3	17	-222
	16	Brisbane Broncos	3	3	17	-356

Problems & Solutions - Part Two

The code needs to expand internationally but it has developed into a game that is about big men. It wasn’t always that way. Even a few decades ago, it had both big and small players. Things changed as new rules kept favouring size. Now, unless a team has some huge forwards, it’s all but impossible to compete. It’s especially noticeable at the international level.

Another issue is player safety and welfare. General injuries due to higher collision impact Are an issue but very importantly head knocks and concussion. The body can only take so much and eventually, bodies or brain tissue suffers. Ten-metre defensive lines and repeated rotational interchange are two rules that have had that effect.

We need a solution and I'd like to put one forward. It’s somewhat radical but each change is designed to mitigate the problems I’ve raised which retaining the essence of what makes it such a great spectator game.

Change One. Rotational interchange needs to end. When a player leaves the field, he cannot return. Three to four players on the bench maximum.

Effect. Teams will hold back interchange too late in the game to provide cover for injuries. Once the bench has been used, there are no more replacements.

Benefit. Fatigue will play a role, especially for bigger players. This will encourage more small, nippy types to be used.

Change Two. Return to five-metre defensive lines.

Effect. It will make attacking players stand deeper and spread the ball wider. The game will be more expansive instead of too much middle third stuff.

Benefit. Reduced impact in tackles.

Change Three. Unlimited tackle while a team is in possessions in its own quarter. Once a player is tackled outside that, the referee calls six tackles. Then regardless of where future tackles take place, they have the six tackles.

Effect. With only five metre defensive lines, it would hard for a team near its try line to make much progress upfield apart from kicking. If the attacking team wanted the ball back (if behind on the scoreboard), they may even not press too hard on the attack to get their opponents out of their quarter. Or there could be a limit of two defenders per tackle until the count restarts.

Benefit. Getting away from your try line with a five-metre defensive would be almost impossible and lead to a side constantly defending. This rule would give the defending team a chance, evening the game up.

Change Four. If a ball-carrying player is forced into touch, it counts as one tackle. The player comes in five metres and plays the ball.

Effect. Spreading the ball wider and flirting with the touching will be encouraged.

Benefit. More expansive game.

Change Five. The team conceding points retains the ball by being given a tap the ball to restart the game on their quarter line (or halfway line).

Effect. It will give the team conceding the chance to reply.

Benefit. Reduce the effect of momentum and score blowouts.

Summary. These rule changes are designed for player welfare and broader inclusiveness regarding body size. They will also bring in the fatigue factor, making the game more open as it progressed. It would hopefully even up teams and allow lesser international sides be a bit more competitive.

Problems & Solutions - Part One

About the only thing growing in RL is female participation

All aspects of life are constantly changing and only those prepared to adapt have any hope of survival. Sport is no different. Rugby league has always been a code that innovates. It can and has to for the same reason, it's a small sport.

The changes that have been implemented were to enhance the two professional competitions (NRL & SL). They provide the income and run the game so it's basically all about them. A few expansionists have dreams of taking a great product further, but the conflict of interest between looking after the NRL and SL as opposed to funding the game's international growth has always had the latter underfunded. Any increase in revenue the pro comps receive is given to the clubs to spend on player wages.

This operational model has been badly exposed by the coronavirus. With no financial cushion to cover it, the sport almost immediately went with cap in hand to the government for assistance. Unless RL changes how it operates, I'd call it throwing good money after bad. In other words, the whole sport of RL is irresponsibly run.

The only solution to this is player wages have to be less than the current percentage of earnings so that some of the money generated is set aside for a rainy day, plus some pumped into the international game to expand it. In the long run, this will create more income for the sport but the shortsighted attitude that now exists ultimately limits what the game could become and therefore earn. Self-centred policy coming home to roost.

Unless those controlling the purse strings wish to change, the sport will meander along, at best surviving as it is and at worst shrinking to even lesser relevance than now.

Part two will look at rule changes.

European Championships 2020

An expanded competition has been arranged for the 2020 year. Four groups and 16 teams are to take part. Here is a brief summary:

Group A: Italy are back after an absence and Spain are new, taking a four-team event to six. They will be in two groups of three with the winners of each group playing a final. The letter A and B after the team signify which pool they are in.

To see the history of the competition, simply click here.

Other: While Group B will finish their games in early November, the other two I would like more information for. I don't find getting information for some of these things as easy as it should be. I will clarify when I find out more or I would welcome feedback from anyone in the know.

Click on the following 'Group B' and 'Group C' to check out their history. Group B / Group C.