The Betfred Super League returned last Friday night as Leeds Rhinos beat Salford Red Devils at AMT Headingley Stadium.
Head coach Rohan Smith had worked hard with his sides during pre-season but their first test of the regular season took place under the floodlights and in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
Leeds and Salford meet in the opening round of the Super League season for the first time since the clubs clashed in 2007, when the Rhinos left The Willows with a 30-26 result. This time around, the Rhinos edged out Salford 22-16.
The Rhinos had been expected to win by a larger margin given their impressive recruitment, two of those star players having arrived from Salford in the shape of Brodie Croft and Andy Ackers.
Rohan Smith’s side got through the test though and will now face Hull KR on Thursday night at Craven Park as they look to make it two from two.
Leeds Rhinos fixture moved to prime time slot
Leeds Rhinos were at centre stage last Friday night on Sky Sports as they led the coverage of the three fixtures shown at Sky Sports all at once.
St Helens and London Broncos collided as did Leigh Leopards and Huddersfield Giants on Sky Sports. However, Leeds and Salford was the only game with a pre-game and post-game coverage on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action.
Leeds are often the focus on TV coverage and that is true for their game against Castleford Tigers. This was set to be on May 31st but Serious About Rugby League understands that the fixture will be moved Saturday June 1st with a kick-off time of 20:00 with the expectation being that the Rhinos will be shown on BBC.
This has now been confirmed with the Rhinos releasing the following statement.
“Leeds Rhinos’ West Yorkshire derby clash with Castleford Tigers in Round 13 of the Betfred Super League is set for a bumper television audience after being selected as the BBC’s live game for that round. The game will also be shown on Sky Sports as a simulcast.
“The fixture will now take place on Saturday 1st June, kick off 5.30pm as a double hearder with the Rhinos Women’s fixture against Barrow Raiders Ladies, which will kick off 2.45pm. Leeds Rhinos Reserves game, which was due to be played on 1st June, will now move to Friday 31st May and be played at Stanningley SARLC, kick off 7pm. Tickets for the game on 1st June are available now at tickets.therhinos.co.uk
“Rugby League Commercial and BBC Sport recently announced a new three-year broadcast partnership which for the first time includes regular live coverage of the Betfred Super League and this month’s Betfred World Club Challenge, as well as the Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair Challenge Cups.
“The multi-platform coverage will also include highlights of every Super League match on the BBC Sport website and app, and an extension of Rugby League’s partnership with BBC radio, with commentaries on BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra, as well as the extensive coverage on BBC local radio which includes Betfred Championship and League One.
“The new coverage kicked off last Saturday with Castleford’s clash with Wigan – the first Super League match to be shown live on the BBC.
“This Saturday on BBC Two, Wigan Warriors will face the three-times NRL champions Penrith Panthers at the DW Stadium, aiming to win the World Club Challenge for the fifth time.
“A total of up to 15 Betfred Super League matches will be covered in each of the next three seasons across digital and linear channels, including two matches in the Play-Offs live on BBC TV for the first time in September and October.
“In another first, the BBC Sport website and app will carry selected highlights from the Women’s Super League, including the semifinals and Grand Final, and the Wheelchair Super League Grand Final.
“The reimagined relationship will see the continuation of the BBC’s long-standing coverage of the Men’s Challenge Cup including the Final at Wembley, which dates back to 1948, and will continue to showcase the very best of the women’s and wheelchair game – with the Women’s Final to be played at Wembley for the second time this June, and the semi finals of the Women’s competition, and the Final of the Wheelchair Challenge Cup, also being shown on BBC channels. “
