Tomkins says Magic Weekend and Summer Bash could be combined

James Gordon

Hull KR captain Joel Tomkins says the Magic Weekend and Summer Bash could be combined for a 3/4 day event.

Super League’s weekend heads to Anfield in Liverpool this weekend for its 13th edition, a week after the Championship’s Summer Bash took place at Bloomfield Road in Blackpool.

The Robins take on Salford in the desperate search for points at the bottom end of the table.

It’s the first time Hull KR haven’t gone up against Hull FC at Magic Weekend since 2010, when they lost 54-0 to St Helens.

Tomkins said: “I’d love to see the derbies brought back to Magic. I think if we did that, it would generate more interest.

“I think my best Magic Weekend was in round one, getting the league off to a good start, get people talking about it and spread the word.

“They might pick a team for Magic and then follow them for the rest of the season.

“I think you could even have two in a season.

“I think with the way that rugby union has gone and is going, we’ve got to do something a bit different. You’ve seen that the NRL are kind of nicking the concept as well.

“It’s great for the sport, it’s great for spectators, it generates a lot of interest and income.

“It can only be a positive thing for Super League and rugby league in general.

“We’ve got the bash in the Championship as well, and maybe we should combine that with Magic Weekend for a three or four day period, and make it a real positive for the sport.”