How To Revive Super League? Make The Table Unpredictable
The Guardian|August 14, 2024
Ambitious chasing pack threaten to upset established order, which can only help to widen the sport's appeal
Aaron Bower
How To Revive Super League? Make The Table Unpredictable

If there is a hypothetical whiteboard at IMG's luxurious towers plotting the credentials Super League needs to become the global phenomenon all rugby league fans hope it can be, there will be a few areas of interest to target.

Some, you could argue, are in place. Most neutrals would agree Super League often provides entertainment and the competition's athletes are world class. The challenge for IMG, as part of its 12-year plan to take the game to new heights, is to market those athletes properly. But beyond that, perhaps the one thing any competition needs to capture new eyes and ears is unpredictability.

Super League hasn't quite had that for a prolonged period of time.

The proof? This year marks 20 years since a new team lifted the grand final trophy at Old Trafford.

Leeds were the last first-time winners in 2004: they have won it seven times since then. And if it hasn't been Leeds then it's been Wigan - six-time winners - or St Helens 10-time champions.

The only other winners, Bradford Bulls, are no longer in Super League. While the competition brings entertainment and drama, the same clubs have had a stranglehold on the one game which matters more than any other when the chips are down. That feels like a problem for the potential to captivate the wider public.

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