“We have to be accountable and responsible” – Powell calls for more transparency on positive tests

Castleford head coach Daryl Powell says better communication is needed to help manage the virus outbreak in Super League.

Wakefield became the latest team to return positive tests on Monday, adding to previous cases confirmed at Hull FC and Catalans Dragons.

Trinity’s scheduled game against Leeds on Thursday has been postponed, with six members of the Warrington Wolves squad also forced to quarantine for the next 14 days.

As pressure begins to mount on Super League, Powell admits that cases needed to stop quickly if the fixture list is to be fulfilled.

“I think if you look at what the rugby league has done recently, there have been more strict rules being laid down and I understand there are a few fines being thrown out there and a few suspended ones too,” said Powell.

“I think we have to be accountable and responsible. The difficult thing is, the people who have tested positive, it is impossible to know what caused it.

“Whether rugby league moves forward on that, we will wait and see.

“I think what they are doing at the moment helps, but clearly we need to get through this as a sport and make sure the games are being played and chalked off on a regular basis.

“We need to stop cases as quickly as possible but it is difficult.

“Maybe some more transparency on who has tested positive and making sure people are doing the right thing within their own organisation is something they might do.

“It did take a while to get knowledge of who potentially tested positive at St Helens the other week and that made life difficult for us.

“I think the communication of things would help massively.”

Powell’s side have been one of the fortunate clubs yet to sustain a single coronavirus case since the competition resumed.

Reflecting on this, he said: “We have been pretty disciplined all the way through. I think it has tightened up the last few weeks after the whole scenario.

“We are the masters all the time in our environment. It is really hard on game day for players so there is a little bit of a balance there.

“But we are doing everything we can to keep everyone safe and keep the game going.

“I think we have received a couple of pats on the back for some of the things we have been doing, but we have to win games as well and tomorrow is a key game we must win.”