Warrington Wolves • Magic Weekend 2024

I think the magic weekend needs a big overhaul.
I would go with a regional 9's competition with a full international at the end of each day.
So for example you could have a North West 9's competition with Wigan, Saints, Salford, Leigh, us, Widnes, Swinton, Whitehaven, Barrow etc with then say Wales v Ireland at the end of Saturday and England v France at the end of Sunday.
This could be played at Bramley Moor Dock or the Etihad at the end of the football season.

Then there would be an equivalent in the North East with Leeds, Hull FC, Hull KR, Cas, Huddersfield, York, Bradford, Dec etc etc and an international again on Sat and England v France on the Sunday.

We are likely to see 2 French teams in super league from 2025 and this would help to build the France v England competition.
It would help to rekindle some of the old rivalries like Wire v Widnes, Leeds v Bradford and Cas v Wakey (although they could be in the same division by then).
Because of the loss of competitions like the Regal trophy and Lancashire cup the teams in the lower divisions only really get one chance per year to face a big team in the challenge cup and for a full 13 a side 80 minute game they don't really stand a chance but in a 9's comp they could have a shot of an upset.
Playing a 9's competition would help to release some of the players for the full internationals whilst you had the likes of Field, French, Dufty, Mbye, Croft and would be a good chance to see some youngsters etc etc playing in the 9's

The North East teams would get a week off (apart from players on international duty) when the NW weekend is played and cisa versa.

Cricket has managed to diversify to a point that is almost unrecognisable from 20 years ago With T20 and the Hundred and I think we need to do the same. We need to showcase the speed , skill and athleticism in a different format. Combine that with a full international would be quite a draw for established supporters, newcomers and broadcasters.

Statistics: Posted by Deus Dat Incrementum — Sat Nov 04, 2023 12:08 pm — Replies 7 — Views 1002

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