War looms on Super 8s structure change, insist Batley

Batley have released a statement claiming any Super League plan at the last meeting had not made it to the back of a cigarette packet, let alone a finalised decision.

Robert Elstone spoke to the rugby league media for the first time on Tuesday since stepping into his new role of Super League chief executive.

A lot of different subjects were discussed, with the headline story being that the Super 8s will be ditched at the end of the season, with a return to a one-up, one-down structure from 2019.

But Batley have released a statement and claim that there are no plans set in stone just yet.

The statement said: “With regard to today’s Super League meeting concerning the future of the Super 8s.

“Do not be misled by any conclusion that the format for 2019 has been decided. We believe this was disrespectful to the present consultation process involving The RFL and Championship/League 1 representatives where we are nowhere near a conclusion.

“Any Super League plan at the last meeting had not even made it to the back of a cigarette packet, let alone a formulated document proposal.

“We need The RFL response to confirm this position working towards a whole game solution or war looms.”