Where the Super League Leads …
Several innovations first seen in rugby league have been adopted elsewhere
At 1.30pm on Sunday Leeds will announce on Sky Sports News and the BBC's Super League Show which of this weekend's winners they will face in the next round of play-offs at Headingley on Friday. It is called 'Club Call' and is the latest of many innovations rugby league has brought to the UK
Sin-bins Initially used in 1988 for foul play not serious enough to merit dismissal, although now used mostly to punish technical offences. Introduced to rugby union in 2000
Video referees In 1996 games broadcast on Sky used replays for tight try decisions. Cricket and rugby union have followed suit
Play-offs In 1998 a play-off series culminating in a Grand Final at Old Trafford introduced to determine the Super League champions. Again, rugby union has followed suit
Salary cap Introduced in 1999, initially curbing clubs' spending to no more than 50% of income on players' wages and bonuses. The system has since been refined, and adopted in rugby union's Premiership and the Football League
Away weekends Magic Weekend, where a round of six or seven Super League fixtures, has been played in Cardiff (2007 and 2008) and Edinburgh (2009). Australian rugby league officials are considering something similar
Licensing system Promotion and relegation no longer decide Super League membership. Salford and Celtic Crusaders awarded licenses this season
Sin-bins Initially used in 1988 for foul play not serious enough to merit dismissal, although now used mostly to punish technical offences. Introduced to rugby union in 2000
Video referees In 1996 games broadcast on Sky used replays for tight try decisions. Cricket and rugby union have followed suit
Play-offs In 1998 a play-off series culminating in a Grand Final at Old Trafford introduced to determine the Super League champions. Again, rugby union has followed suit
Salary cap Introduced in 1999, initially curbing clubs' spending to no more than 50% of income on players' wages and bonuses. The system has since been refined, and adopted in rugby union's Premiership and the Football League
Away weekends Magic Weekend, where a round of six or seven Super League fixtures, has been played in Cardiff (2007 and 2008) and Edinburgh (2009). Australian rugby league officials are considering something similar
Licensing system Promotion and relegation no longer decide Super League membership. Salford and Celtic Crusaders awarded licenses this season
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