Both Matt Peet and Sam Burgess have sounded the alarm over Super League’s brutal schedule as the competition continues to be ravaged by injuries.
The two heavyweights meet on Friday with a staggering 21 first-team players sidelined between them, while several other clubs are also battling lengthy casualty lists with just 10 rounds of the regular season remaining.
A current season could include a total of 35 fixtures with Super League, the Challenge Cup and the play-offs, before an international schedule – this year including the Rugby League World Cup Down Under.
The Rugby Football League introduced minute caps in 2025, but All Out Rugby League understands there are no sanctions for clubs who don’t abide by them.
Peet said: “From late January or early February, these lads play every week. They get a very short pre-season, some of them play internationals. We’ve got a salary cap that makes it very hard to carry more older players.
“We get a loop game [at Magic Weekend] which is very intense, and we wouldn’t have it any other way, but it still brings challenges.
“We’re getting exactly what you would expect.
“You put these athletes at it relentlessly with no breaks and a short pre-season, then we’re going to expect some of them to play in a World Cup at the end of the year. Something has to give.
“Every club’s in the same boat, we’re all dealing with it, but we’re getting exactly what you expect when you look at the nature of the game.”
Peet also highlighted the game’s disciplinary process, while seven players were charged following the fierce Magic Weekend derby between Wigan and St Helens at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
“We promote gladiatorial contests, we encourage physicality with the way we promote the game, and then we fine lads on Monday morning for being a split second out [with tackles],” Peet added.
“I’m not even complaining about disciplinary points or suspensions. To fine these players when we’re selling the game off the back of high collision, high speed, repeat efforts… and we’re fining them for upwards of £200, it’s a tough one for me.”
Warrington counterpart Burgess also expressed his concerns – hinting that Super League could follow the NRL in terms of including bye rounds in order to keep players fit and healthy.
He insisted Friday’s game at the Brick Community Stadium is not a missed opportunity for the competition despite the lengthy injury list, but the England legend believes changes are needed.
“It’s a great question to maybe ask the RFL – maybe don’t play as many games, and maybe an ability to have a couple of byes in the season, and then you’d probably keep more players on the field,” the 2014 NRL Grand Final winner said.
“It’s a fair question. I don’t feel like it’s a shame [for Friday], because it’s a great opportunity for our squad and our club, but I think on a wider discussion, something needs to be done.
“Looking ahead, we’ve got six games in 29 days. I dread to think what effect that’s going to have on the players, but we have no input, no ability to influence. We just get told what to do, and anytime you sort of challenge things or ask if there’s a better solution, the answer is simply no.
“I feel for the players, because they’re the ones out there. They need to get together and come up with an association and have a bit of a say in the game, otherwise they’ll continue to be used like this.
“We play too many games, there’s no doubt about that. There’s not long enough off, shorter pre-seasons, too many games, too many friendlies. You can say other clubs manage to do it, but over the course of a long period of time, everyone will go through it. It’s the nature of it.
“We need some careful consideration. Look at the NRL – play 24 games, there’s three byes each in that, and obviously they play the State of Origin. You might play eight games, week off, six games, week off, 10 more games and into finals.
“You play two maximum trial games, and your pre-season starts in the middle of November. You have to get a minimum of eight weeks off. Then the trials mid-February, season starts in the middle of March.
“I think there needs to be a fair discussion, and actually to listen to the players, to the coaches and performance staff. That’s the first thing.”