Hull KR: Will they miss out?

Phil has been inundated with lots of good questions this week and has decided to delve straight into them.

Among the hot topics this week is whether or not the RFL have graded the teams applying for their Super League license correctly - Phil gives his view.

And find out what Phil thinks Brian Noble should do to further improve Wigan's defence, after a good performance against Leeds.

Phil answers your questions...

In relation to your latest article on the Sky Sports website, I am also in favour of the four nations competing in the World Cup, which will provide the platform for Wales, Scotland and Ireland in future years.

I cannot however, see the advantage of playing as England in the Tri-Nations, which will hopefully become a four nations competition once France are deemed strong enough to compete. If we compete in these tournaments as GB, surely this will unite the four playing nations giving a wider appeal and greater national media coverage. The four nations can still compete in the existing format of a Euro Nations competition. Can you explain??
Paul Mack

PHIL SAYS: Well Paul, I can't see what difference it would make in the short-term if we compete as England or Great Britain in a Tri- or Quad Nations Tournament. All of the players will be English anyway. I'd prefer a clean start with each nation carrying its own flag.

Do the four nations want to be "united" as you state in your question? I don't think so and can't see any advantage by competing as Great Britain. Will a Scottish or Welsh newspaper really give much space or interest to a match involving Great Britain in which none of the players come from Wales or Scotland? I don't think so, but I'm no expert on media coverage and you may be better qualified to know this.

Hi Phil, looking at the candidates for next seasons Super League and using the grades that Angela Powers has been giving (which look pretty clear cut and not open to much conjecture), do you think that the RFL have got it right? With the current grades, Widnes, Leigh, Toulouse and Salford would be guaranteed a place, leaving Wakefield, Hull KR, Castleford and Celtic Crusaders fighting for the last place. Meaning that possibly 5 teams that are not currently in Super League could get admitted (if Celtic get the vote) and 3 current teams miss out.

Do you know if the different sections of the grades carry different weightings, if not, how are the RFL going to differentiate between the 4 teams vying for the last place?

Also, Nigel Woods has gone on record stating that the standard of Super League would not be jeopardised, but these grades fly in the face of this. I can see some litigation being involved no matter what is decided on the 22nd July as either teams that have a higher grade miss out to accommodate current Super League teams with a lower grade, or teams that are currently doing a good job in Super League (such as Hull KR) miss out to lesser teams. Your thoughts would be most welcome.
Many thanks, Marty Webb, St Helens.

PHIL SAYS: It might be worth having a quick reminder of how Angela Powers graded the applicants when she carried out her own basic assessment.

Angela did a great job, but I'm not convinced that the people who make this decision will simply follow Angela's grading. They have taken a far more in depth look at the structure, staffing, finances and day-to-day workings of each club.

Some of the 19 applicants are realistic enough to know that they themselves are not ready for a place in Super League but have used this as a process to assess the strengths and weaknesses of their own club.

Staff from the RFL have been able to visit and help to share 'best practice' in areas ranging from ticketing, marketing, community and commercial operations.

Angela had only a day to take a look from the outside. The people working to assess the applications have had several months and are able to use cold, hard facts to support their judgements having spent considerable time with members of staff at each club.

I can't really foresee a great deal of litigation after the decision is made. It is hard to argue against what might be compelling evidence against your club. If you have two clubs with very similar strengths and weaknesses, then it does become a very difficult decision. Let's hope that they make the right one.

Hi Phil, in recent weeks I have really enjoyed the team and tactical analysis that Tony Rea has provided on Boots 'n' All - at last, some serious discussion on rugby league! My question is this: Tony recently criticised the Wigan defensive attitude and lack of enthusiasm when they had the opposition pinned in their own 20. If you were Brian Noble do you agree with these comments and if so what would you be doing improve the players' attitudes?
Regards, John Bilsborough, Salford.

PHIL SAYS: What a great week to get this question. Wigan's defence against Leeds was outstanding and the quality of their tactical kicks meant that they did lots of tackling in the opposition's 20 metre zone.

I would guess that Brian Noble could do a few things to improve their attitude in this facet of the game:

1) Spend time practising it with high intensity.

2) Reward it in different ways to encourage it in the future.

3) Ask your kickers to repeatedly put the ball into that part of the field.

Phil, great column as always, but I've always wanted to ask if you could see a franchise in Liverpool ever taking off? I've played the game for years due to the schools I went to, and went the other way from the football schools that Liverpool is famous for.

Now a load of my mates have a bit of banter about it with me, as I'd rather watch any 13 a side game on Sky, yet will swerve the football if it's nothing major. My argument is that I'm bored of watching overpaid prima donnas needing a stretcher when they split a hair on their head.

I know I've digressed, but with there being no major football tournament for the Home Nations, this could have been a perfect time for rugby league to make a statement in footballing heartlands, such as Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle.

This summer I do believe rugby league may have missed the boat, as I do feel that we, as a sport could have picked up a good few extra fans, looking for something to watch, live or on Sky, during those off - season months.

I do feel a city like Liverpool, my home town, couldn't go far wrong by trying to get at least the basics in place, to go for a franchise when they are next up for grabs in 2011 or 2012. Liverpool Buccaneers are the only club I know of in Liverpool. I wonder if you feel someone could come in to increase their profile, and who knows, there could be a place for rugby league in a football hotspot.
Thanks for reading this mate, Ant.

PHIL SAYS:It's great to hear how much you love the game Ant. I once lived in Australia and realised then how little we are prepared to travel in this country. Fans Down Under will drive for over an hour (and in the case of the North Queensland Cowboys, well over 3 hours!) to watch their local team.

I would hope that anybody interested in watching a top quality live game of rugby league would perhaps travel from Liverpool to either Warrington or St Helens. If you had access to a car I reckon that you'd be able to get there in 30 minutes. Even relying on public transport, it wouldn't take much more than an hour.

I can't ever see a Super League team playing out of Liverpool, but I never thought that I'd be a commentator on Sky Sports either. If St Helens can develop their new stadium then hopefully that will enable them to attract some new supporters from the Liverpool area.

Perhaps I'll see you at a game at Knowsley Road later this year.

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