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Rugby league's rift deepened on Wednesday when the players' union backed the revolt led by the Wigan owner, Ian Lenagan, whose actions were then roundly condemned by a rival chairman as "self-centred".
Evidence that the game is in danger of tearing itself apart over plans for a major restructuring surfaced when the Halifax chairman, Michael Steele, launched a stout defence of the Rugby Football League, while 1eagu3, the body representing Super League players, gave its robust support to the rebellion.
Ernie Benbow, the chief executive of 1eagu3, welcomed the decision of the governing body to postpone Wednesday's extraordinary general meeting which was expected to ratify a convoluted proposal to introduce two divisions of 12 teams, dividing into three of eight after 23 rounds, from 2015.
The RFL bowed to pressure from a majority of disgruntled Super League clubs, led by Lenagan, to put off any decision on restructuring until after the World Cup.
In a statement, 1eagu3 said: "We are delighted that sense has prevailed and the EGM to vote in the RFL's preferred restructuring proposal has been postponed following a revolt by a majority of the Super League clubs.
"The league structure is not the central problem. There is nothing inherently wrong with the wonderful, simple yet totally enthralling, compelling and thrilling sport of rugby league.
"Given the expertise delivering clear commercial success at some of the games' top clubs we would urge those Super League clubs in that category to show leadership, take charge of the commercial strategy, grasp the opportunity and move the game forward with vision."
A poll of Super League players overwhelmingly rejected the RFL's preferred restructuring option and 1eagu3 says it detailed its opposition in a formal written submission on 5 September, arguing that the extra matches would increase the burden on players.
Benbow said: "The game as a whole is seriously under-sold and undervalued.
"The players, our members, are often neglected but are indeed the crown jewels in the process of moving the game to a level at which it deserves to be.
"We welcome this pause for further debate and consultation. On the main issue within the game, the lack of revenue, almost all [97% of members in a recent player poll] felt that the marketing of the game is simply not good enough."
Meanwhile, Steele said his club were ready to vote for the RFL's proposals after being fully consulted throughout the review process and claimed Lenagan demonstrated a lack of understanding in claiming in a letter to other Super League clubs that they were being undermined by the process.
In a statement, Steele said: "At all times, throughout that process, we have been aware of, and supported, the purpose of the exercise which is to create a vibrant, player-focused structure which serves the whole game from children playing in community clubs to the outstanding professional athletes in the English national side.
"As such, we were content to support the adoption of the review conclusions and move on from the EGM to their implementation in time for the 2015 season.
"There is nothing in Mr Lenagan's letter of objection which leads us to alter that conclusion. Indeed, we find his analysis self-centred and wrong.
"Contrary to his assertions, rugby league does not belong to a minority of successful Super League clubs, neither is the review over-hasty or misdirected. It represents a genuine attempt to secure long-term growth of the greatest game to the benefit of all who play it, support it or watch it.
"We find it surprising that an active chairman of a leading club can have reached this point with as little understanding as Mr Lenagan claims.
"We look forward to the reconvening and successful conclusion of the EGM after the delivery of a memorable RLWC 2013."
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