Super League positions to be decided on win percentage in ‘realistic and sensible response’

The surprise decision was announced yesterday along with other changes surrounding fixtures and salary cap after discussions with the Super League Board and clubs about the increasing challenges of the Covid-affected 2020 season.

Numerous games have already been postponed since it resumed last month with six of its 11 clubs receiving at least one positive test; there are fears not all clubs will be able to finish the regular season by November 12/13.

Win points percentage will be calculated by the number of matches won divided by the number of matches played, multiplied by 100 and the immediate winners are Catalans Dragons who – having played fewer games than anyone else – jump from fourth to first.

The season had already been reduced to 20 rounds but now, to qualify for the play-offs, a team must have played a minimum of 15 matches – unless they end the regular season in the top-four on competition points anyway.

Johnson said: “As a Board, we recognise the unique challenges this season has presented – and the need for flexibility and creativity in response.

“It has been an immense logistical effort for all to get the Betfred Super League season up and running – we congratulate all involved, especially the players.

“Like other sports before us, and doubtless others to come, we have to recognise that this is not going to be a normal season.

“A number of fixtures have already been postponed, affecting some clubs more than others, and we have to allow for the possibility of that pattern continuing.

“These decisions are a realistic and sensible response to those issues – and we hope they will be welcomed by players, coaches, supporters and other stakeholders in that manner.

“The whole sport is doing everything in its power to deliver a Betfred Super League Grand Final later this year that will see the crowning of our 2020 Champions.”

The threshold for postponement of a fixture will be the non-availability of seven or more of a club’s top 25 players (on salary cap value) for Covid-related reasons.

Clubs can, though, still choose to play fixtures in these circumstances.

Following any postponement, the first option will be to rearrange the fixture in an ‘additional match slot’, which have been allocated on the weekends of Challenge Cup quarter-final, semi-final and final action as well as the first weekend in November.

Furthermore, for this season only, clubs can play any player on their register (including players recalled from loan to other clubs) without impacting their salary cap, provided the player has a value of £30,000 or less.

Secondly, if a player who has tested positive for Covid-19 is unable to return after the minimum isolation/return to play periods, their cap value will be temporarily removed allowing the club to sign a replacement.

Meanwhile, Wakefield Trinity and Catalans each had a further player test positive yesterday but the results will not impact this week’s games that go ahead as planned.

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today.

Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you’ll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers.

So, please - if you can - pay for our work. Just £5 per month is the starting point. If you think that which we are trying to achieve is worth more, you can pay us what you think we are worth. By doing so, you will be investing in something that is becoming increasingly rare. Independent journalism that cares less about right and left and more about right and wrong. Journalism you can trust.

Thank you

James Mitchinson