Helicopter on stand-by for Shield

Super League officials have gone to extreme measures to ensure they can present any of the four possible league leaders with their shield on Friday night.

Super League officials are hiring a helicopter to ensure the league leaders' shield can be presented on Friday night.

In the closest finish yet to a Super League campaign, with only one point separating the top four clubs, any one of them can still claim the shield, although St Helens' chances are slim.

The trophy will be at Huddersfield's John Smith's Stadium for the kick-off between current leaders Leeds and the third-placed Giants along with Rugby Football League chief executive Nigel Wood, who will be ready to make the presentation.

However, a helicopter is being put on stand-by at the golf driving range next to the stadium, ready to whisk the trophy, accompanied by Super League general manager Blake Solly and Ed Cam of sponsors First Utility, on a 30-minute flight to Wigan if the Warriors claim top spot after their home game against Castleford.

"We felt that, rather than handing over the trophy a week later, it was right to give the winners the opportunity to celebrate in front of their fans straight after the match," Solly said.

The shield winners will collect a cheque for 100,000 ($A220,000) - double last year's prize - as well as a guaranteed place in the 2016 World Club Series.


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Source: AAP



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