Stevo ridicules Super League rule that leaves Leeds, Hull, Wakefield and Castleford sweating
Former Sky Sports pundit Stevo has hit out at the Super League relegation ruling that could see one of the Yorkshire’s big clubs drop out of the division at the end of the season.
The side that finishes the current Super League season in 12th place will be automatically demoted to the second tier. However, changes to the rulings means the rule will be abolished from next season onwards.
The side currently in 12th and final place are Wakefield – and in most serious danger of the drop. Having lost all 14 of their opening fixtures before eventually beating Leeds Rhinos 24-14 on Sunday, the win at least re-opened the relegation conversation.
Indeed, while 10 points still separates Leeds, in eighth place, from the bottom, Rohan Smith’s side may have reasons to feel anxious given their current run of form.
And with Yorkshire sides all dominating the lower positions, all of Hull, Huddersfield and Castleford will not be resting easy.
However, the merits of promotion and relegation from Super League is often a controversial one.
And Stevo, speaking on the Eddie and Stevo podcast, has debated the merits of the situation.
“That brings me to the problem of should we have relegation and promotion,” Stevo started.
“The one thing about it is that if you’re not relegated, it can give you the opportunity to then start and build up junior development, etc and so forth, and build for the future, and not panic buy to escape relegation.
“That’s what we’ve been doing in the UK for so, so many years. I mean, how many Australians have we found coming over halfway through the season just to avoid relegation? Now, to me, that’s not advancing our game at all.”
Stevo calls for expansion of Super League
Under the current format, Super League only consists of 12 clubs.
However, in order to freshen up the game, and to make the competition bigger, Stevo argues that there should be two promotion slots going forwards.
“Why don’t we have 14 teams? Why don’t we allow Wakefield to have a brand new stadium etc and so forth? Why don’t we allow them to stay and give them a chance to build?”
The Betfred Championship is currently led by Featherstone Rovers, but they would still need to make the same changes as Wakefield regardless of the pair trading places.
“Featherstone will have to do exactly the same thing,” he added.