With Leeds Rhinos being awarded the points for their remaining two matches, due to predetermined COVID-19 protocols, Superleague's semi-finalists have been determined off the court; the competition continues on Sunday with the final round of the regular season
Tuesday 15 June 2021 13:49, UK
Coaches and fans have shared their reaction to Leeds Rhinos Netball receiving the points for their remaining Vitality Netball Superleague matches, and therefore securing fourth place.
On Tuesday morning the Vitality Netball Superleague Rescheduling Competition Committee announced that Rhinos' remaining fixtures of the regular season would be cancelled.
A positive COVID-19 result within Rhinos' squad meant that their Round 20 matches against Dragons and Pulse could not be played.
This was due to a predetermined rule in Superleague: when matches are cancelled because of a positive COVID-19 case, the result of the previous fixture in the season will be applied.
The ruling means that Rhinos, who beat Dragons and Pulse earlier in the year, are awarded six points and will now finish the regular season with 36 points.
The other play-off contenders - Strathclyde Sirens, Saracens Mavericks and Wasps - all do not have enough matches remaining to potentially surpass that tally.
Sirens, who were sitting in fourth before the ruling, can only reach 35 points if they defeat Manchester Thunder in Round 20.
If they win their rescheduled match against Storm, Wasps will sit on 34 points as will Mavericks, if they also beat the same opponent.
Following the announcement of the ruling and decision, individuals made their thoughts known on social media.
First, Dan Ryan, Leeds Rhinos' head coach, shared his feelings about how the end of the regular season has played out.
Rhinos' inaugural season has seen them overcome many challenges already. They lost three of their starting players to significant injuries during the opening round, and yet continued to pick up victory after victory without them.
Once those individuals returned, Rhinos have shown how tight they are as a unit and a number of players have received international recognition as a result.
Now, their challenge will be to come out of isolation, complete their five-day 'Return to Play' period and prepare for a semi-final in just 24 hours.
For Strathclyde Sirens, the team that were sitting in fourth position with one round remaining, the announcement on Tuesday ended their chances of being present on finals weekend.
It has been a breakthrough season for the Scottish franchise and their technical director Karen Atkinson summarised their thoughts on social media.
No doubt, the outfit will continue to process the decision over the course of the week, before they step out and face Manchester Thunder on Sunday afternoon.
Despite all teams and the Vitality Netball Superleague collectively agreeing on a series of rules relating to the impact of COVID-19 ahead of the competition, the nature of this decision has confused some fans and observers.
With the decision having been made and points allocated, Leeds Rhinos Netball will be taking their place on finals weekend on June 26 and 27.
Team Bath Netball, Loughborough Lightning and Manchester Thunder all sit above them. With matches still to play, the line-up for the semi-finals will be decided over the course of Round 20 on Sunday and Monday.
The league-leading team at the end of Round 20 will take on Leeds Rhinos Netball in one semi-final, and then the second and third-placed outfits will meet each other.
With three points separating Team Bath, Lightning and Thunder, plus Bath taking on Lightning in Round 20, a number of scenarios are still possible and the final placings could down to goal difference.
If Loughborough Lightning beat Team Bath and Manchester Thunder prevail against the Strathclyde Sirens, then all three would be locked on 51 points.
Sky Sports is your home of netball. The Vitality Netball Superleague continues on Sunday, with four matches back-to-back streamed on the Sky Sports YouTube channel from 12pm.
