Wakefield Trinity v Leeds Rhinos OFF due to Covid

WAKEFIELD Trinity’s game with Leeds Rhinos tomorrow night is OFF, becoming the latest fixture casualty of Covid-19.
Wakefield Trinity's Matty Ashurst in action against Warrington Wolves on Sunday. (SWPIX)Wakefield Trinity's Matty Ashurst in action against Warrington Wolves on Sunday. (SWPIX)
Wakefield Trinity's Matty Ashurst in action against Warrington Wolves on Sunday. (SWPIX)

A decision was reached this morning after the RFL and Super League announced last night that two Wakefield players had tested positive.

Castleford Tigers and Hull KR, who were due to kick off tomorrow’s televised triple-header at Emerald Headingley at 2.30pm, will now replace the Wakefield v Leeds slot at 8.15pm.

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Trinity already had four other players self-isolating and a raft of injuries to contend with meaning it was almost inevitable the game would be postponed.

However, with Catalans Dragons also out of action due to four positive tests at their club last week - and two more over the weekend - there is no chance to quickly rearrange a Super League fixture like in previous weeks.

Warrington Wolves, who beat Wakefield on Sunday, have been told they have six players who now need to self-isolate and will be missing from Friday's game against Hull FC but that fixture does still go ahead.

Leeds had been contemplating playing two games in just five days as they had been due to face Catalans in Perpignan next Monday.

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That was called off last week, though, and, instead, bizarrely, Richard Agar’s side - who beat Salford Red Devils 50-12 on Saturday - could now go 13 days without a game, their next fixture scheduled for Friday September 11 against Huddersfield Giants.

An RFL/Super League statement read: "Super League Europe and the RFL have agreed that the Betfred Super League fixture between Wakefield Trinity and Leeds Rhinos that was scheduled for Thursday should be postponed, following the positive tests for Covid-19 for two Wakefield players that were confirmed last night.

"The Wakefield squad will have a further set of tests on Friday before a decision is made about their fixture against Hull FC scheduled for next Thursday (September 10)."

Friday’s programme will remain as scheduled: Huddersfield Giants will play St Helens at 6pm; and Warrington Wolves will play Hull FC at 8.15pm.

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Although Warrington’s playing and coaching staff have already had a full set of negative tests this week, six of the Wolves players have been required to self-isolate for 14 days following Test and Trace analysis of their fixture against Wakefield last weekend - meaning they will be unavailable for the fixtures against Hull FC and against Castleford next Thursday.

RFL’s Chief Regulatory Officer Karen Moorhouse said: "In what are unprecedented and uniquely challenging circumstances for the sport, we should first recognise the importance of the health and wellbeing of the players and other staff, and their families, at the clubs who have been affected.

“Again, we have been forced as a sport to show our ability to move quickly to ensure we still have a programme of four attractive fixtures in the Betfred Super League – and again, we are grateful to the flexibility of the clubs involved, and of our broadcast partners, in agreeing to these changes at such short notice.”

Betfred Super League, revised fixtures:

Thursday September 3: Hull KR v Wigan Warriors (6pm); Salford Red Devils v Castleford Tigers (815pm).

Friday September 4: Huddersfield Giants v St Helens (6pm); Warrington Wolves v Hull FC (815pm).

All four matches will be shown live on Sky Sports