Hep: It’s make or break
RUGBY LEAGUE CAHILL ON THE BRINK
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HEP CAHILL fears the Super 8s system will bring disaster for some players for the second year running.
Cahill’s Widnes are in a fight for their lives with Catalans on Saturday, with the winners staying up.
The losers will go into the Million Pound relegation shoot-out with Super League rivals Leigh.
It’s the sort of pressure Cahill says can derail players because their livelihoods are on the line.
The Vikings forward said: “I know last year that some players could not afford to pay their mortgage after being knocked out of Super League.
Losing
“It is devastating for some families and that could easily happen to people this year too.”
The first Million Pound game in 2015 saw Super League Wakefield retain their top flight status by beating Championship Bradford.
Last year Hull KR got relegated after losing to Salford and this year another Super League side will definitely drop out.
Widnes, Catalans and Leigh are all expected to have to cut costs and let players go if they are relegated.
It’s pressure that Cahill says is playing on their minds. He said: “If you lose your job a lot of people could be financially ruined.
“It is hard because we do not earn big wages. Your career is potentially on the line if you do not pick up another club.”
Widnes are third, ahead of Catalans on points difference, with Leigh two points further back.
A win or a draw will mean the Vikings live to fight another year in Super League, without the trauma of the Million Pound Game.
But Cahill, 30, admits Saturday’s game will be challenging because everything is on the line for both sets of players.
He said: “It is in Catalans’ hands as well as ours, so it depends on who turns up on the day. I just pray it is us.
“I am a bit more laid back because I have been playing for a long time. But my advice to the young boys is not to play it too early in their heads.
“It is a big pressure mentally and it takes it out of you if you think about it too much. The game is in our hands.”
Hooker Lloyd White is crocked but Aaron Heremaia returns from injury, to the delight of Cahill.
He said: “We have had a few injuries but we got Tom Gilmore back last week, which was good, and having Aaron back is going to be a big boost to us.”