Cup finals can give rugby league a revitalising shot in arm – Peter Smith

By Peter Smith
Published 13th Jul 2021, 05:55 BST
Updated 13th Jul 2021, 10:16 BST
Castleford Tigers captain Michael Shenton pictured before his side's Challenge Cup semi-final with Warrington. Picture: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.comCastleford Tigers captain Michael Shenton pictured before his side's Challenge Cup semi-final with Warrington. Picture: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
Castleford Tigers captain Michael Shenton pictured before his side's Challenge Cup semi-final with Warrington. Picture: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
IF EVER rugby league needed a good Wembley, it’s now.

A sport battered and bruised by Covid is in serious need of a pick-me-up, which a couple of classic matches this weekend could provide.

The Challenge Cup final is the game’s annual opportunity to showcase what it is all about to a wider audience; one day when casual viewers, without any real interest in rugby league, will tune into the BBC’s coverage and it’s therefore an opportunity to make friends and influence people.

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The two games being staged on Saturday – the Challenge Cup and 1895 Cup finals – have a lot riding on them because, at the moment, it feels like the code is in the doldrums.

Adam Cuthbertson of York City Knights runs at Jacob Jones of London Broncos. Picture: Alex Broadway/SWpix.com.Adam Cuthbertson of York City Knights runs at Jacob Jones of London Broncos. Picture: Alex Broadway/SWpix.com.
Adam Cuthbertson of York City Knights runs at Jacob Jones of London Broncos. Picture: Alex Broadway/SWpix.com.

The number of Betfred Super League matches postponed – or even called off – recently has harmed the integrity of the competition, as has the fixture congestion of the past couple of weeks.

Some of that is an unavoidable consequence of the pandemic, but the scheduling of matches has also been a self-inflicted wound, most notably the decision to hold a full Super League round at or around the same time as an England international.

Events over the past few weeks have shown how an England team’s performances can grip the nation.

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While the rugby league World Cup isn’t on the same scale as football’s European Championships, it is still an opportunity for the sport to get itself noticed. Sadly, by making players turn out five times in 15 days, the game’s administrators are actually damaging the national team’s chances at this autumn’s tournament.

Featherstone Rovers' bench jumps for joy at the Challenge Cup final in 1983.Featherstone Rovers' bench jumps for joy at the Challenge Cup final in 1983.
Featherstone Rovers' bench jumps for joy at the Challenge Cup final in 1983.

When fans were allowed back into stadiums, towards the end of May, opinion was divided over whether they would have got out of the habit, or flock back in their droves, desperate for a long overdue fix.

Unfortunately, the former seems to have been the case.

Even with capacities restricted to 4,000, some clubs are struggling to sell out.

Ideally, all games should be for home fans only at this stage of coronavirus restrictions, but the presence of away supporters is an indication of why the inclusion of teams in France – or Canada – is so feared by some clubs. Even with a 45,000 limit at Wembley tickets are still available for this weekend’s 1895 Cup and Betfred Challenge Cup double-header, though apparently only in limited numbers and not on the day of the game.

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Anything less than a sell-out would be a blow but, while both games p