Cost cutting will not force players out of Leeds Rhinos insists Gary Hetherington

COST-CUTTING WILL not force players out of Leeds Rhinos, chief executive Gary Hetherington insists.
Leeds Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington.
Picture: Bruce Rollinson.Leeds Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington.
Picture: Bruce Rollinson.
Leeds Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington. Picture: Bruce Rollinson.

Hetherington is calling for Betfred Super League’s salary cap to be reduced next year as the sport grapples with the fall out from Covid -19.

Half the 12 clubs are understood to be in favour of slashing the amount spent on players, with the rest either against or undecided.

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The Leeds chief has confirmed Rhinos will be cutting costs across their on- and off-field operations and will not be able to spend up to the current £2.1m cap next season. However, he stressed the current squad have been supportive of pay cuts already imposed and contracted players will not have to leave to help balance the books.

Gary Hetherington and Kevin Sinfield. Picture: Tony Johnson.Gary Hetherington and Kevin Sinfield. Picture: Tony Johnson.
Gary Hetherington and Kevin Sinfield. Picture: Tony Johnson.

“I think Richard [Agar, Rhinos’ coach] and Kevin [Sinfield, director of rugby] are looking at keeping our squad together and there’s absolutely no reason why we can’t achieve that objective,” Hetherington pledged.

Rhinos have not played since March 5 and when Super League does resume it is likely to be behind closed doors, providing no game-day income.

Plans reported by the BBC suggest clubs are keen for a return in August, with a limited number of matches played with the gates shut before crowds are admitted from October onwards. The Super League Grand Final would be played on either November 28, December 12 or in mid-January 2021, with the Challenge Cup decider in October or November.

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Though the league is split on the salary cap issue, Hetherington claimed a united approach is vital.

Leeds Rhinos head coach Richard Agar. Picture: Steve Riding.Leeds Rhinos head coach Richard Agar. Picture: Steve Riding.
Leeds Rhinos head coach Richard Agar. Picture: Steve Riding.

He said: “It is important all clubs act collaboratively, where possible, to ensure all 12 Super League clubs come out of this, at the end of 2021, still in business. If they do that will be a major achievement, because this epidemic has challenged businesses – all businesses, but particularly rugby league clubs – like no other challenge they have ever faced.

“Every club is going to have to cut costs because income is going to be certainly less than anticipated. I think it is incumbent on every club chief executive to be looking at its entire operation to see where it can cut cost appropriately.”

Hetherington reckons the sport is benefiting from a supportive approach by players and staff. “The players have all got contracts for this year so they don’t have to accept any cuts, but they did so because they were being really responsible,” Hetherington said of the pay reductions which have come into force. I’d like to stress, players have behaved impeccably by supporting their club and the game by taking fairly significant salary cuts this year.

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“That has gone across all players at all Super League clubs and indeed all staff as well. I think, of all the sports, rugby league players have demonstrated their responsibility and commitment to their sport like no other.

“That is great testament to the players themselves. A lot has been made about disgruntlement in rugby union, or soccer where the players have just deferred their wages.

“Deferring wages is no good, that’s just kicking the problem a bit further down the road. I think rugby league players have behaved better than any other sport and I think that will continue to be the case.”

Hetheringon believes there is an acceptance “we are in a period of austerity which is going to last at least until the end of 2021”.

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He added: “The challenge for us all is to reduce cost where appropriate, but retain performance so our game can get even better, despite being in a recessionary and very challenging time.

“There is no reason why our sport can’t get even better. We have had an extended off-season and, in terms of players being fresh, we will come back from this enforced lay-off, on the field, pretty strong and very fit and very able.

“No players’ abilities will diminish. I am very bullish about the product that will come back on to the field when it does eventually restart.

“I think our sport will be in very good shape.”

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