The winds of change are blowing through rugby league more than ever before as IMG’s plans to revolutionise the sport begin to take shape. With a grading-style system replacing promotion and relegation later this year, the end goal is simple: the biggest and best clubs on and off the field competing in Super League.
In a sport where big city presences are perhaps thin on the ground, Hull FC and Leeds Rhinos represent two major pillars of the IMG plan. They are two of the seven clubs who were awarded provisional A gradings at the end of last year, meaning that their futures in Super League are safe no matter what happens on the field: which is just as well.
Two of the sport’s bigger clubs, who consistently attract five-figure crowds and produce more top-tier talent than most, are floundering on the pitch. This meeting between the sides, which was edged by Leeds 18-12 thanks to two tries from the debutant Riley Lumb and another from Cameron Smith, showcased two clubs who are in periods of transition.
Hull’s season has been turbulent to say the least, having sacked Tony Smith on 11 April, appointed Richie Myler – the former Leeds scrum-half who was playing for Championship side York as recently as a month ago – as their new director of rugby and failing to lure Salford’s Paul Rowley to Humberside to take over from Smith.
We have not even reached May but the reality is that they are already reduced to playing for pride. They are a staggering 10 points shy of the playoff places and are out of the Challenge Cup, meaning whoever inherits the head coaching position at Hull has a significant rebuild on their hands. Poor recruitment over a prolonged period has caught up with this great club.
They are perhaps fortunate IMG has removed relegation, because they would be locked in a battle with London Broncos for their Super League safety that, based on performances so far this year, they could have easily lost. The appointment of Myler, amid speculation of fresh investment off the field, is being identified as a catalyst for change, but it is not that simple.
Hull will have to overhaul their squad in the months ahead, with high-earning senior players underperforming and others approaching the end of their careers. They have used 33 players already this year, and are up to squad number 45 after borrowing players from other Super League clubs on loan deals.
Their young squad certainly showed no shortage of effort here and in that respect, this was a marked step forward. But Hull’s loyal fanbase will demand more than effort in the longer term. As for Leeds, where the weight of expectation to succeed is arguably even greater, things are at least better in terms of the table.
This win moved them to within two points of the playoff places but they look nothing like a side threatening to win a trophy this year. Like Hull, Leeds at least have a steady stream of promising young talent.
Unlike Hull though, Leeds spent sizeably in the winter transfer market but they have flattered to deceive far too often. That has led to questions about Rohan Smith’s future as coach, but he is understood to still retain the confidence of the hierarchy at Headingley.
But here his side, playing against a Hull team that have conceded more than 50 points on four occasions this year, were tepid to say the least. And while Leeds still have plenty to play for, at Hull the challenge now is to begin what feels like a major rebuild with the season not even at its halfway point.
The new man arriving at the MKM Stadium has a huge job on his hands to restore a club that as recently as five or six years ago was competing on all fronts.
When IMG hands out the 12 coveted seats at the Super League table for 2025, we already know Hull and Leeds will be safe. But anything like success feels some way away for two clubs who expect much more than treading water. But that in itself perhaps raises a bigger question: without relegation in IMG’s plans, can you coast more than ever before without consequence? Food for thought in the years ahead, perhaps.
