'Massive boost' for Leeds Rhinos as most fans reject season ticket rebate

Rhinos played four times at Emerald Headingley before Betfred Super League was suspended, due to the coronavirus pandemic, in March.

With the season now reduced to 20 rounds, three of Rhinos’ 14 scheduled home fixtures will not take place and all games until at least the end of August will be played behind closed doors.

Rhinos pledged to refund ticket holders for home games cancelled or played without a crowd, but also offered fans an opportunity to donate their rebate back to the club or have it deducted from the cost of membership over the next three seasons.

The deadline for a decision is 5pm on Friday and so far only 15 per cent of members have asked for their money back.

All sponsors have also agreed to stay on board, handing Rhinos a huge lift ahead of Sunday’s return to action against Huddersfield Giants.

Rhinos had forecast a £4m loss up to the end of next season, but coach Richard Agar said: “We have been blown away by the support from our members.

“Something like 85 per cent of them have committed and re-committed.

“I think from some of the doomsday scenarios about finances, that has certainly given our club a massive boost.”

The limited number of refunds will ease some financial pressure, but Agar admitted signings for the rest of this year remain unlikely.

Agar said: “It’s a short season, obviously, with 15 games [still to play].

“It is not something we are going to look at in the short-term.”

Meanwhile, Rhinos are waiting to hear who they will face in their opening Coral Challenge Cup tie this season, after the sixth round draw, made in March, was scrapped.

Five lower division teams had reached the last 16 stage, along with Toronto Wolfpack who beat Huddersfield in round five to record their only win of the season.

After they decided not to compete, the Rugby Football League (RFL) ordered a redraw which will take place later this week.

Two sixth round ties will be played back-to-back at Huddersfield’s John Smith’s Stadium on Saturday, August 22.

The six teams not involved in those games will receive a bye into the quarter-finals, on the weekend of September 18-20.

The final, originally scheduled for July 18, has been put back to October 17.

Rhinos were originally drawn at home to Super League rivals Hull KR in the sixth round and Agar said: “I hope we get a bye!

“I think obviously given the withdrawal of the Championship clubs and the circumstances we’ve been in, it throws up a conundrum.

“Toronto were through so that’s another issue they had to address, so they’ve basically decided to abolish a round.

“It’s like the old preliminary round, to get through to the quarter-finals.

“Touch wood, if we get a bye it is one less game and if not we will have to work our way through to it.

“It is a difficult one, given the circumstances, to work out the best way.

“I think bringing the Championship clubs in is probably impossible so they had to come up with a solution.”

Sunday’s Super League return is officially Giants’ home game, but will be played at Headingley without a crowd.

Rhinos will use the away changing room and wear their second kit.

Agar said Jack Walker (foot) and Stevie Ward (head) remain on the casualty list, but hooker Kruise Leeming - an off-season signing from Huddersfield - is available following knee damage and could make his first appearance for Leeds.

Giants boss Simon Woolford confirmed full-back Ashton Golding has recovered from a pre-season injury and will make his debut against his former club.

Meanwhile, Hunslet have announced they will not enter the RFL’s one-off competition for lower division clubs, due to be staged in October and November.

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