We’ll do whatever it takes to finish season says Leeds Rhinos chief Gary Hetherington

Rugby league has been shut down for more than two weeks owing to the coronavirus pandemic, but Hetherington insists clubs can get through the “unprecedented” crisis by working together.

This weekend will be the third without fixtures at any level of the game and, with the virus not yet at its peak, there is no indication as to when the season will resume.

It already seems unlikely the Coral Challenge Cup final will go ahead on the planned date of July 18.

And there is a growing prospect of the league campaign being extended into November and December, but Hetherington does not want to see either competition scrapped or cut short.

While he stressed “everything is on the table”, the Leeds chief insisted: “The clubs are determined to deliver all 29 rounds of Super League, plus the Challenge Cup, play-offs and Grand Final and ideally the Test series as well.”

He said: “That’s the objective, to deliver as much of the programme as possible.

“We are prepared to play midweek games, to extend the season and to do whatever it takes to fulfil our commitments to our TV partners, our fans and our corporate members.

“The criteria is what is in the best interests of the game.

“It is important to have an attitude that everything has to be considered and everyone has to contribute.”

Likening the current situation to wartime, Hetherington pointed out: “We don’t have air raid shelters and food rationing.

“But our freedoms have been curtailed, businesses and facilities have closed down, players have stopped playing and fans have stopped watching. For all the clubs, income has dried up, but our responsibilities to staff and players are still there.

“That’s the challenge.

“This is rugby league’s biggest-ever challenge and it’s good to see the RFL [Rugby Football League] and Super League executives are working together.

“They are engaged with our key partners, Betfred, Sky Sports and the BBC and the Super League clubs are working really well together and communicating daily.”

Rhinos are looking at ways of cutting costs, including enforced leave for players and staff.

Hetherington added: “I think it’s fair to say every club has taken advantage of the government’s furlough scheme and I reckon everybody will be implementing salary cuts as well.

“All our Super League clubs are individual businesses are often very different from each other but the aim, collectively, is the survival of all 12 clubs.

“By working closely together – particularly with the GMB players’ union – we believe we can deliver an effective outcome.”

Despite the grim scenario, Hetherington believes rugby league is “creative and resourceful” enough to survive the world-wide pandemic.

He said: “Above all we have to show the traits that have defined the character of rugby league for the last 125 years – tough, resilient against the odds and almost heroic.

“I think we’re fortunate in rugby league; we’ve got a really committed group of stakeholders – fans, sponsors, players and staff.

“There’s a real collective spirit, a bit like the war years, where people come together for the common good.

“That has been evident in the daily talks I’ve been having with colleagues in Super League, at both executive level and the clubs themselves.

“I know that’s also going on within rugby league generally and it is really heartening to see.”

Hetherington confirmed he hopes promotion and relegation will continue this year, but does not regard Super League matches resuming behind closed doors as a viable option.

“We’ve got to be mindful of our partners and people who watch the games on television, so we have to be receptive to that if that’s a possible outcome,” he said of playing without crowds.

“But clearly rugby league clubs need income and you’re not going to generate income playing in front of an empty stadium.

“We need to get a view from our broadcast partners and, if needs be, we need to deliver it, but it’s not something we would wish to do.”

Hetherington, though, feels playing the Challenge Cup – when season tickets are not valid – behind closed doors could work and admitted there’s a “good chance that the final will have to be played at a different date”.

He said: “It’s inevitable we will have to extend the season and that might go to November or who knows?

“We’ve got to do whatever it takes to make it work and that may have an impact on the 2021 season too.

“It’s fair to say that the July 18 date for the cup final may not be appropriate. We would therefore have to find a new date and, who knows, maybe a new venue? I’d like to think Wembley remains the venue, but there’s that many uncertainties we’ve got to be prepared to do whatever. It’s such a major event for the sport, we’ll do everything we can to preserve it and maybe even enhance it.”

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