SAINTS coach Kristian Woolf believes it is important that all the games between the top end sides take place this year to protect the integrity of the competition.
An already abbreviated Super League season has seen some matches postponed since the return from lockdown due to the impact of Covid-19.
Preparing for the probability that all fixtures would not be completed the regulations were changed to decide the final qualifying placings on percentages.
Saints and Wigan will both pass the 15-game threshold tomorrow, something all clubs must complete to have a chance of qualifying for the top-four Super League semi-finals in November.
Warrington and Huddersfield have already reached the games figure, with Hull playing the most matches so far with 16.
Catalans, who have had tonight’s game called off due to seven positive Covid-19 cases at the club, have only completed 12 games. And that total has not been helped by seeing games called off before the Covid lockdown in March.
The teams with the best win ratio, provided they have played a minimum of 15 matches, will go into the knockout semis on week ending 20 November, with the final the week after.
The system means that it is not easy for teams to say with any certainty how many points they need to bank to secure qualification.
But for Woolf there is another concern approaching the home straight of the troubled campaign.
“It is a difficult one at the moment, particularly because we keep getting games postponed and I hate to think that some of those games that do have a bearing on the top four don’t get played because that really does impact on the credibility of the competition,” he said.
“I am sure everyone sees it that way and we are going to find a way to make sure those games happen.
“What we can’t have is games between top-four teams not happening because that does affect the integrity of the comp.
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“Added to that, I don’t think you can have a situation where some teams are going to play 19 or 20 while others play 15 and then finish ahead of them on percentages. If that happened it would not be a good look for our competition and its integrity.
“I am sure everyone is thinking the same way and that we make sure that it does not eventuate that way.”
Saints play top-for rivals Leeds tomorrow, and have games against all the other top end sides - Wigan, Catalans and Warrington - in the coming weeks.
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