ROBBIE Hunter-Paul is remaining open-minded about the current format of domestic rugby league following last year's restructure.

In the biggest overhaul of the game since the switch to summer rugby two decades ago, the Rugby Football League introduced the concept of the middle eights.

The bottom four Super League sides battled against the top four in the Championship for the right to be in the top flight in 2016.

Yet no club was promoted or relegated and Super League sides have a significantly greater spending power on the salary cap.

Odsal chief executive Hunter-Paul, however, is not writing off the system just yet and he expects it to deliver more excitement in the coming campaign.

The legendary former Bulls captain said: "Of course there has been no word on how long the current structure will remain in place.

"But if a team like ourselves or Leigh are lucky enough to get promoted, then you would have to say it works.

"The pressure that we talk about creates the soap opera and the soap opera creates the reality TV programme – and that's what sells.

"At the end of the day, we are in the entertainment and leisure industry. It's the craziest industry in the world because you tie yourself to it so emotionally.

"This is more than a sport or a television programme – supporting your team is a fundamental part of your life.

"The team you support through thick and thin is an expression of your personality. It's about identity and legacy.

"The majority of our supporters were brought to Odsal by their parents and their grandparents, many of whom would have been in that record crowd of over 102,000 in 1954.

"Rugby league is an amazing product and that affinity is something which makes absolutely no sense at times.

"You buy a bad chocolate bar then you wouldn't buy it again – but if your team loses, then you still come back for more. That's because it's something inside us."

The Bulls return action on Sunday when they take on Leeds in Carl Ablett's testimonial at Headingley.

Hunter-Paul said: "I'm really looking forward to it and, to be honest, I've been bored these past few months! I need my fix of rugby league and this weekend can't come soon enough."