I am pointing out that straightforward league systems and knockout systems do not fit well together because the requirements for success are different.OB you are asking the wrong question .. you ask what is the best way to determine the winner of a league
The real question is .. what is the best format for the top tier professional rugby format?
And I think the answer is . Some kind of round robin out of which the top group play a couple of knock out rounds
Apparently they are happy with it in Australia. :shrug: