Fixture Farce

But what I didn’t expect either was the farcical fixture list that we have now. That is a league where a team may play one team four teams, but another just twice. Whose idea was that?

I can’t imagine what the thinking was behind the fixtures, or indeed whether there was any thinking. What I do know is that a league is supposed to be a meritocracy – a system where every team has the same to do as its competitors, and hence the final standings are a reasonable basis for judging who has been the best team.

What we have is an uneven system, which is no basis for deciding the League Leaders, the play-off teams, or the side that goes down. This season’s Super League will unfortunately be lacking in credibility because of this major flaw.

In The Shade

It has to be said that the respective performances of Australia and New Zealand in last week’s Gillette Tri-Nations certainly left Great Britain in the shade. It was obvious that the touring Lions would not have been able to stand up to either of the two sides on show – nor did they in the preceding weeks.

The best was certainly saved until last by rugby league’s top two nations, and the result was an epic finale that would have done any game proud. The performance from Darren Lockyer in particular was exemplary, and it remains to be seen whether there is any one in the British ranks who can match the standard set by the Golden Boot winner.

Great Britain will not have to test themselves against the Kangaroos next year, but are likely to face off with the Kiwis four times. That will provide a tough enough test for rebuilding the shattered side.

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