Super League announces new playoff system
Monday, 01 Dec 2008 10:49
Super League organisers unveil new eight-team playoff system
The organisers of rugby league's top division, the Super League, have unveiled a revolutionary new eight-team playoff system that will give the top-ranked team the chance to choose their opponents.
Ahead of the new 14-team format from 2009 onwards, the authorities have expanded the post-season from six teams to eight.
The restyled competition will continue to feature its elimination format, which gives some defeated clubs the chance to win the trophy.
The first week will see all eight clubs in action, with the league leaders facing the fourth-placed team, second playing third, fifth playing eighth and sixth facing seventh.
The two matches involving the top four teams will be known as 'qualifying playoffs' with the winners of these games progressing directly to the third week of the series.
The losers in these two games will have another chance in the second week when they face the winners of the week one 'elimination playoffs', which involve the other four teams.
In week three, the winners of the two qualifying playoffs will play the winners from week two – and the winning team from week one with the highest league placing will be allowed to select their semi-final opponents.
From here, all matches will be sudden death with the two winning teams progressing to the Grand Final at Old Trafford.
In a statement, the Rugby Football League (RFL) said: "The format is being introduced following consultation and discussion with the 14 member clubs in Super League and will bring tremendous added excitement and interest to both the regular season and the final decisive phase of the competition.
"The new structure has been developed by the RFL and is not a direct copy of other eight-team formats operating in other sporting competitions elsewhere in the world."
Commenting on the new format, RFL chief executive Nigel Wood said it is a "tremendous development" and "will create great drama and bring an added dimension to what is already the most exciting period in the season".
Wood added: "By introducing the element that allows the highest-placed qualifier to select their semi-final opponents in week three, rugby league has once again shown it is a highly innovative and progressive sport.
"This new feature will also create more opportunities for broadcasters and the media to generate exciting coverage.
"We look forward to working with the member clubs to implement the new system."