It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas for Leeds Rhinos and Super League

Betfred Super League could be extended until Christmas to ensure the full season is completed, Leeds Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington reckons.
Gary Hetherington. Picture by James Hardisty.Gary Hetherington. Picture by James Hardisty.
Gary Hetherington. Picture by James Hardisty.

Four full rounds of fixtures have already been postponed because of the coronavirus crisis and there is still no indication as to when Super League might resume or under what format.

Moving the Grand Final back at least a month and scrapping the six additional ‘loop fixtures’ are two of the measures under consideration.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But Hetherington is not in favour of playing fewer matches and believes a December finish is possible.

Rhinos have not played since last month's win over Toronto when brad Dwyer was among the try scorers. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.Rhinos have not played since last month's win over Toronto when brad Dwyer was among the try scorers. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.
Rhinos have not played since last month's win over Toronto when brad Dwyer was among the try scorers. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.

Leeds had two games in hand before the competition was halted and have not played since a 66-12 win over Toronto Wolfpack on March 5.

That leaves them with 24 league rounds – including two trips to France and a game in Canada – to fit in, plus at least one Cup tie.

Hetherington said clubs are in regular contact with each other and the sport’s governing bodies, but admitted “nobody knows” how the season will play out.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“There are regular conference calls with the RFL [Rugby Football League] and Super League and they are keeping us up to speed,” he said.

Luke Gale bagged a brace of tries against Toronto. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.Luke Gale bagged a brace of tries against Toronto. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.
Luke Gale bagged a brace of tries against Toronto. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.

“They are working through a lot of different scenarios and possibilities, but it is all speculative because none of us knows when the game will restart and indeed how it will restart, spectator access and whatever.

“There is a commitment from Super League and the RFL to do whatever it takes to fulfil our season – that will inevitably mean an extension of the season, probably up to Christmas – and to deliver all the games in the fixture list and the Challenge Cup.

“We want to fulfil our commitments to broadcasters, sponsors, season-ticket holders and all the stakeholders in the game.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Hetherington confirmed Rhinos’ staff – including players – have now been informed of proposed wage reductions as the club looks to tighten its belt.

The cuts cover April, May and June, but could be extended until November if business does not return to normal before then.

Hetherington declined to comment on the scale of the pay cuts – describing them “a private matter between the club and all our employees”.

But he said: “We have got 150 staff, management, players and directors who are employed and our arrangement is the same for everybody. There is no distinction between a player and a staff member and I would say we don’t envisage any issues.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Hetherington insisted everyone at Emerald Headingley is aware of the desperate situation facing the club, which is now effectively without income.

He added: “All our players and staff have been very well informed.

“It is a process that has been going on for nearly four weeks.

“We have not been able to get people together for face-to-face meetings, but they have been extremely well informed along the way and have been contacted on at least a weekly basis.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Certainly with the players, the GMB trade union has been involved.

“We have worked alongside them so they know exactly what our arrangements are and they have been very supportive of our arrangements.

“They have communicated that to our players who are members of the GMB and they have been helpful in the process. Not one of our 150 employees has indicated any reluctance.

“They accept the difficult situation the club finds itself in and recognise that clearly they have got to be part and parcel of coming up with a solution.” Rhinos’ players and most club staff have been furloughed under a government job retention scheme which guarantees 80 per cent of the wages of employees placed on leave.

Hetherington added: “Salary adjustments are just one part of an overall plan to ensure, first of all the survival of our business and, secondly, to try and keep everyone in employment.”