Smith against promotion format

Huddersfield dominated the Northern Ford Premiership

Huddersfield coach Tony Smith, whose team are hotly fancied to regain their Super League status next month, has criticised the sport's system of promotion and relegation.

The undefeated Giants are clear favourites to win the NFP Grand Final on 12 October and secure a rapid return to the top flight.

But Smith believes a club's financial strength, in addition to its playing fortunes, should be taken into consideration when it comes to determining places in Super League.

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"They're the rules and we're happy to play by them," said Smith.

"But I'm not a big fan of promotion and relegation being down to where you finish in the table. It should be more based on all sorts of financial criteria.

I just don't think it's a healthy way for the sport to go

Huddersfield coach
Tony Smith

"If you're running a business, you want the best-run clubs in the top flight. For some teams it's probably better for them if they weren't in certain divisions."

Huddersfield were relegated a year ago after finishing bottom of Super League for the third successive season.

Smith has sympathy for Salford and Wakefield, who are vying to avoid bottom spot with two games to go.

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"I feel for them," he said. "It's really hard to plan for next year.

Tony Smith is against the promotion format

"I know from last year you have to have contingency plans, one for if you go down and one if you stay up.

"I just don't think it's a healthy way for the sport to go."

The Giants, whose McAlpine Stadium is among the finest grounds in the game, are expected to be promoted automatically if they win the Grand Final at Halton Stadium.

The champions must satisfy minimum standards laid down by the independent franchise panel, with previous Grand Final winners Dewsbury and Hunslet having been denied in the past.

Leigh, who are 9-2 second favourites, finished top of the table last year before going out in the play-offs and were beaten finalists two years ago.

Coach Paul Terzis believes the Centurions will also have no problems satisfying the franchise panel if they succeed at the third attempt.

"Our ground, in comparison with some Super League grounds, is on an equal par or maybe even a little bit better," he said.

Terzis, a big fan of the play-off system, added: "They add that much excitement to the season. It's the time to be involved in coaching."