Super League’s priority is economic survival, insists Robert Elstone

There are growing fears the competition could see clubs go under given the financial uncertainty following the global pandemic.

Super League initially shut down until April 3 but that was this week extended indefinitely in a joint-decision with the Rugby Football League.

“We have added complications of French and Canadian teams but our big priority right now is economic survival for ourselves and our clubs,” explained Elstone.

“We’re looking at what Government support is offered to make sure we can access it as quickly as we can and that’s gratefully received by clubs.

“We’re looking at a specific request which is much-needed which the RFL is working on.

“We’ve spent a week looking at every single line in the budget to save money and ensure we distribute funds to our clubs every month to protect them for as long as we can. That is very much our priority.”

Centrally, Super League’s television weekly television show is one of the cuts they have already made.

Asked if he was confident there will still be 12 clubs around when the sport resumes, Elstone added: “Yes.” He conceded furloughing – where staff are placed on leave with the Government paying 80 per cent of their wages – is increasingly likely for all clubs and Super League itself.

“Furloughing was a welcoming initiative the Government put on the table which every club is looking at,” said Elstone, although admitting they are still unsure if contracted players will qualify for the funding.

“We’ve spent time looking at our staff base and furloughing is an option for a large number of our employees.

“We’ve got to respect the fact we have to work that through, communicate with our staff and do it professionally and sympathetically.

“A solid request for funding has been submitted. In the intervening period there have been things like furloughing and additional benefits put on the table by Government and we need to reflect that in a revised submission.

“Super League are actively involved in what that number was, but I spoke to (RFL CEO) Ralph (Rimmer) late Tuesday night in terms of revising and updating that.

“We’re very keen to be involved to ensure what we put in front of Government is as good as it can be.”

Meanwhile, Leeds Rhinos forward James Donaldson admits his side will have their work cut out when the season does resume given they had already seen two other fixtures postponed.

Leeds had won their last four games and he said: “The players that have been playing have been doing a really good job, but it is a problem for us.

“At some stage we are going to have to make up the games we’ve missed.

“We’ll probably have to play three games in a week.

“That is tough on the body and when you want to keep all your players fit and playing their best it is not ideal, but we will deal with that when we come to it.”