Super League announces two-week delay to opening matches - but Grand Final date is unchanged

By Peter Smith
Published 14th Jan 2021, 18:19 BST
A dejected Konrad Hurrell after Leeds Rhinos' play-offs defeat by Catalans on November 13. He and his teammates will have to wait until late March to get back on the field. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.A dejected Konrad Hurrell after Leeds Rhinos' play-offs defeat by Catalans on November 13. He and his teammates will have to wait until late March to get back on the field. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.
A dejected Konrad Hurrell after Leeds Rhinos' play-offs defeat by Catalans on November 13. He and his teammates will have to wait until late March to get back on the field. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.
Betfred Super League have confirmed a delay to the start of the new season, but not this year's Grand Final.

The competition was scheduled to kick off on Thursday, March 11, but will now begin two weeks later, on March 25.

That is potentially good news for Leeds Rhinos captain Luke Gale, who was set to miss the opening two rounds of the season after tearing a pectoral muscle in training.

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Super League say the change was agreed by clubs, following discussions with Sky Sports, to increase the chances of fans being allowed into matches from round one.

The delay means Super League will go more than a year without fans at matches, since Castleford's win over St Helens on March 15, 2020. Picture by Tony Johnson.The delay means Super League will go more than a year without fans at matches, since Castleford's win over St Helens on March 15, 2020. Picture by Tony Johnson.
The delay means Super League will go more than a year without fans at matches, since Castleford's win over St Helens on March 15, 2020. Picture by Tony Johnson.

The March 11 date was announced in November, when Super League confirmed a 27-game regular season, including the Dacia Magic Weekend at St James' Park, Newcastle, on May 29/30.

Recent seasons have begun at the end of January or in early February, but that was not possible after last year's Grand Final was delayed until the end of November.

With the World Cup scheduled to kick off on October 23, there is little scope to put the domestic season back any further and the later start date could mean a reduction in the number of fixtures.

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As well as Magic Weekend, the 27-round format includes four loop fixtures when teams face rivals for a third time.

Kelepi Tanginoa scores for Wakefield against Salford on November 6, in their final game of 2020. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.Kelepi Tanginoa scores for Wakefield against Salford on November 6, in their final game of 2020. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.
Kelepi Tanginoa scores for Wakefield against Salford on November 6, in their final game of 2020. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.

A statement issued this afternoon (Thursday) said: "Super League will continue to review the fixture schedule, details of which will be released at a later date.

"It can confirm that there is no change to the season end date, with the Betfred Super League Grand Final to be played on October 9 at Old Trafford."

Related topics:Super LeagueLuke GaleLeeds RhinosNewcastleSky SportsOld Trafford

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