Blease in warning over TV deal after outbreak

SALFORD director of rugby Ian Blease has warned the stakes could not be higher for Super League following the positive coronavirus tests at Hull FC this week.

The entire Red Devils squad are in self-isolation as they played Hull last Sunday.

And while Salford await the results of further testing, due later today, Blease has called for more to be done to ensure no more games are lost which may threaten the sport’s deal with broadcaster Sky Sports.

“It’s opened a lot of eyes and I’ve questioned the frequency of the testing and the timing of it,” he said. “I have to say, the RFL and Super League have been tremendous in everything they’ve done and the staff at the AJ Bell Stadium for the bio-secure zone we’ve got for training.

“It’s really important we get the season broadcast and finished - and that’s top of my priority list.

“We have to make sure we do absolutely everything possible, re-energise the protocols and government guidelines again just to make sure we’re doing absolutely everything as a game to make sure we can carry on the season.”

Amid calls for Super League and the RFL to strengthen the guidance on the biosecurity precautions clubs and players should take, Blease believes the governing body should take a strong line against anyone who breaks the rules.

“We’ve all got Covid officers and can penalise as we want, but you look at the job the NRL have done,” he said. “I know we haven’t got the resources and the cash those guys have got, but it needs to come from the top and we need to implement it as clubs. We just need to reinforce the message. It’s about being sensible.”