Millennium Magic
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Millennium Magic is a concept by the Rugby Football League (RFL) to take an entire round of Super League matches to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. The first Millennium Magic round is scheduled for the weekend of May 5th, 2007.
Contents |
[edit] Concept
[edit] Initial Concept
Rumours of the Millennium Magic round first appeared in the Yorkshire Post in early July 2006. The report revealed the proposal to shorten Super League XII to 27 rounds and take one of those rounds to Wales.[1] Initial reaction from fans was positive, and the Welsh tourist board were thought to be keen for the plan to go ahead after the success of the Challenge Cup finals that were held at the Millennium Stadium between 2003 and 2005.
[edit] Confirmation and Reasoning
The Millennium Magic round was confirmed in September 2006 for the weekend of May 5th-May 6th. [2]Richard Lewis, chairman of the RFL, cited both expansion and monetary reasons for the move to Wales, but the plan also allowed the Super League to be reduced by one round (critics had stated that the players were put under too much strain over the season). It is not yet clear whether the Millennium Magic round is to be an annual event or a one-off exhibition.
[edit] 2007
[edit] Logistics
Three Super League XII fixtures will take place on Saturday May 5th 2007, and the remaining three will be played on Sunday 6th.
The games played will be 'local derby' matches in an attempt to maximise interest in the event. The teams will face their Millennium Magic derby opponents four times in the Super League XII season.
Celtic Crusaders will open the weekend as they face Oldham Roughyeds in a National League 2 game on the Friday night (4th May) at Brewery Field, Bridgend. Kick off 7.30pm. This match will officially celebrate 100 years of club rugby league in Wales as Oldham were the first ever opponents to Merthyr Tydfil in the first professional game in Wales on September 7th 1907.
[edit] Fixtures
| Team | Score | Team | Match Information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time | Crowd | |||||||
 Les Catalans |
 Harlequins |
5 May 2007 15:00 GMT | ||||||
 Hull FC |
 Hull KR |
5 May 2007 17:00 GMT | ||||||
 St Helens |
 Wigan Warriors |
5 May 2007 19:00 GMT | ||||||
 Huddersfield Giants |
 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats |
6 May 2007 14:00 GMT | ||||||
 Salford City Reds |
 Warrington Wolves |
6 May 2007 16:00 GMT | ||||||
 Leeds Rhinos |
 Bradford Bulls |
6 May 2007 18:00 GMT | ||||||
