McDermott eyes later start
Snow joke for Leeds Rhinos coach
Last Updated: February 9, 2012 4:41pm
Brian McDermott: Leeds Rhinos coach frustrated by wintry conditions
Leeds Rhinos coach Brian McDermott has called for an end to the "madness" of opening the Super League season in such wintry conditions.
While all seven fixtures were played on the opening weekend, one kick-off had to be delayed and a host of players were left hurt as a result of playing on icy surfaces.
Grand Final-winning coach McDermott believes a later start to the season is needed as the weather threatens to cause more early-season disruption.
He said: "If climate change means that every single winter is going to be under snow for a period of time, we need to look at when we start our competition because it's just madness.
Frustrating
"It's frustrating. It doesn't do the spectators any good, it doesn't do the players any good and it doesn't do the game any good.
"We should start later. I know it's not as simple as that because we have to get 27 league rounds in but it needs looking at."
Most Super League clubs have been forced to scour the area for suitable pitches to train on while Leeds have been using a 20-metre area of 3G at the club's Kirkstall base.
"It's horrible," McDermott added. "I like the snow - I'm a bit of a rustic man, I like to go out for winter walks.
"But, in terms of professional sport, it's madness. I can't stand it. It frustrates me every year."
