Disheartening and Dangerous: Super League Club Criticised Following Historic 82-0 Defeat to St Helens

The choice to permit a weakened Salford side to face St Helens has drawn significant criticism, with an NRL player labelling the situation as both “sad and unsafe.”

In their Super League season opener, the under-prepared Red Devils suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the competition giants, losing 82-0 on Sunday (AEDT).

Due to ongoing salary cap regulations linked to a club takeover, Salford was forced to field what amounted to a reserve-grade team for the match.

This result marks the largest winning margin in the history of the English competition, prompting a flurry of responses from players and fans alike across social media platforms.

Knights star Jackson Hastings, who previously played for Salford during his overseas stint, was quick to criticise the decision that led his former team into such a heavy defeat.

“If the top players weren’t able to take the field for any reason, throwing young kids into that situation when they clearly aren’t prepared is both sad and unsafe,” he remarked via X.

“Either allow them to play, or postpone the game. I understand there are surrounding circumstances, but find a workaround. I feel for the young players.” 

“I don’t care whether it’s the RFL, Salford, or whoever. The essential point is that young kids need protection, as does the integrity of the game.”

St Helens boasted a lineup full of stars for the round one encounter, with newcomers Kyle Feldt and Tristan Sailor both shining in the lopsided affair.

Kyle Amor, a former player for St Helens with over 200 matches under his belt, resonated with Hastings’ sentiments in a heartfelt post on social media following the match.

“Did rugby league squander a major opportunity this weekend?” he queried via X.

“After Thursday night’s exhilarating opener, we witnessed three matches decided by a mere four points—fantastic viewing for rugby league supporters!”

“Yet, despite the excitement, yesterday felt like a significant blunder for the sport. With no Six Nations matches on television, rugby league had a prime opportunity to showcase its best talent in a prime-time slot on the BBC.” 

“Instead, Salford—still hampered by salary cap restrictions—fielded a squad filled with young, inexperienced players. The resulting 82-0 scoreline does little for either team, the competition, or the sport as a whole.” 

“Of course, there are two sides to every story, but surely a better solution could have been implemented to ensure a more competitive game? This was a chance to present rugby league in the finest light, and it feels like a missed opportunity.”

For Salford, it was a dispiriting start to the season, having finished fourth last year.

In other Super League news, Sam Burgess gained the upper hand over his brother Tom, as the Warrington Wolves triumphed over Huddersfield on Monday morning (AEDT).

This marked the former Rabbitohs star’s first appearance in his new colours after leaving the NRL.