'Cut Super League games to an hour' says ex-Leeds Rhinos coach

Former Leeds Rhinos boss Brian McDermott wants matches to be played over four 15-minute quarters when Betfred Super League resumes.
Brian McDermott. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.Brian McDermott. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.
Brian McDermott. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.

The Toronto Wolfpack coach - who guided Rhinos to four Grand Final wins, the Challenge Cup twice and a league leaders’ shield - says player welfare and the quality of the competition must be protected.

This weekend is the third without any matches due to the coronavirus outbreak and Super League insiders fear the season will not restart before June, at the earliest.

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Putting the Grand Final back to November is one option under consideration, but even that will mean clubs playing three times a week to complete the full fixture list.

Ava Seumanufagai and Mikolaj Oledzki tackle former Leeds prop Anthony Mullally during Toronto's 66-12 defeat at Headingley last month.Ava Seumanufagai and Mikolaj Oledzki tackle former Leeds prop Anthony Mullally during Toronto's 66-12 defeat at Headingley last month.
Ava Seumanufagai and Mikolaj Oledzki tackle former Leeds prop Anthony Mullally during Toronto's 66-12 defeat at Headingley last month.

Club chiefs are anxious to ensure broadcast commitments and season ticket deals are honoured, but McDermott reckons that will put players under huge strain - and risks damaging the quality of rugby on show.

“I absolutely get the genuine concerns of owners and chief executives for Super League to complete as much of the 2020 season as possible, when it is cleared to safely return, which I totally support,” he said.

“Inevitably, that may well include a number of midweek games to maintain the competition’s integrity in what is, under normal circumstances, a brutal season.

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“Whatever is decided upon as the best format in the time frame available so the sport pulls through and fulfills its obligations to all – including broadcast partners, sponsors and fans – is going to take something remarkable by the players.

Konrad Hurrell storms over for Rhinos' final try agianst Toronto. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.Konrad Hurrell storms over for Rhinos' final try agianst Toronto. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.
Konrad Hurrell storms over for Rhinos' final try agianst Toronto. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.

“It goes without saying that they are physically tough, that’s a given, but we also need to find a way of preserving them and the viability of the product on offer.

“The more we load upon them over a short space of time, the more we are absolutely in danger of damaging the spectacle that makes Super League what it is.

“Midweek games predicate a slow, laborious, safe style of tactics because teams will not have the necessary energy to defend.”

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Pointing out the sport amended its rules to compete with football in the early years of its history and teams were reduced to 12-a-side during the first world war, McDermott said innovation is a “major part of rugby league’s DNA”.

He said: “The physical welfare of the players is paramount and there is a way of preserving them to be at their best and give the fans and wider audiences what they want by way of the best possible product.

“Given the landscape we find ourselves in and the parameters of welfare which cannot be dismissed, why not introduce the idea of four 15-minute quarters?

“From a coaches’ point of view, in my experience, those who would normally play 80 minutes but have been substituted for the final 15 or 20 have reported back how much fresher they feel 48 hours afterwards and have been able to train more fully the following week.

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“Not only would that be preserving them, but also it would enable the quality to remain higher throughout this most demanding of periods, with more of the star names on display for longer.

“Condensing the match to an hour will add to rather than lessen the intensity, the game is more sellable and the welfare aspect considered.”

McDermott believes his proposal would be welcomed by Sky TV - who could increase their number of advertising breaks - and appeal to “new, younger audiences bred on shortened forms of sport”.

He said: “I have no doubt the players will do whatever that is asked of them in the weeks to come, including playing a run of midweek games, even to

their physical and mental detriment.

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“This is a way of helping to put them first and move the sport progressively forward.”

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