Super League make win percentage decision
Saint Helens Celebrate the victory as they list they the trophy
It was announced this afternoon by the RFL how the positions in this season’s Super League table will be decided as the pandemic continues to plague the sport.
The table this term – in a similar vein to last season – will be determined by Win Points Percentage. This is to allow for the possibility of further postponements this season down to the ongoing pandemic.
Clubs are required to complete 70% of their fixtures to ensure their place in the play-offs which, again like last season, will be a top 6 system. This means a minimum of 18 games must be played by any team wishing to claim a spot in this year’s play-offs.
In order to postpone a game, a club must have 7 or more of their top 25 players unavailable due to a positive Covid-19 test or down to test and trace protocols. A postponement will also be permitted should a club be unable to travel due to government restrictions.
The Win Points Percentage will be calculated by dividing the number of league points the club has gained by the number of matches played multiplied by 50.
Should four or more clubs fail to meet the minimum amount of games required, the RFL Board has discretion to change the number of games required from 18 to a lower number.
A change in the length of permitted loans has also been approved following the end of dual registration. The length of an approved loan has now been halved from four weeks to two. Of course, testing criteria applies. Naturally, players are permitted to move between the first team and the academy but must be subject to Lateral Flow Testing.
A decision has been made on players in the last year of their current contracts as well. The Out of Contract date which requires clubs to advise players in the final year of their deal of the club’s intentions has moved back from April 30th to May 31st reflecting the delayed start to the season. However, players will be allowed to talk to other clubs from May 1st.