Wigan RLFC have thrown down the gauntlet to Penrith to meet them in America, Australia or the UK next year as they make the first move to get the World Club Challenge championship fixture pencilled in for 2025.
The title, which has been held since 1988, has been used to historically determine the best club in the Rugby League world, as both competitions have at times held the best Rugby League talent and players.
The 2025 edition between the NRL Premiership and Super League winners was thrown into doubt after both Premiership winning sides – the Panthers and the Wigan Warriors – expressed reluctance, given both are a part of next year’s Las Vegas tour, an NRL event showpiece event in America in February.
CEO of Wigan RLFC Kris Radlinkski laid down the gauntlet this week to Penrith, in a bid to revive the competition. The latter, despite being 4 times champions of the NRL, have never won the competition – were keen to scrap it.
However, NRL superstar Nathan Cleary was on hand in the North of England over the weekend to watch Wigan and Hull KR duke out the Super League Grand Final. The Kangaroos World Cup winning halfback made his feelings clear, publishing a post on Instagram after the game.
“I understand the logistics of getting on would be difficult, but I think it would be a great spectacle,” Cleary posted.
The Instagram post seemed to catch the attention of the Wigan CEO.
“We want the game to go ahead, since we’ve won the grand final, I’ve sent a note to the NRL and to Penrith to see what are the chances of it happening,” Radlinkski said.
“I did see Nathan’s comments, and if there’s a way we can make this work, we’d love to play at Magic Round”.
“I went to that weekend a few years ago, it was a wonderful festival. /end
“It will be a logistical challenge, but I’ve always said playing rugby league is a privilege, you only get to play for a short amount of time, and if you were to ask any player if they would want to be a part of that, I’m sure they’d all say ‘yes’.”
“If you asked any retired player, ‘Would you turn down a game like that?’ they’d all tell you ‘not a chance’. This is why you play the game.”
ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys said of the chances of Wigan and the Panthers meeting in Brisbane: “I like innovation and anything that comes out of left field. I’m very impressed Nathan Cleary has thought of this. If it can happen, it will happen. There’s a bit of logistical work to be done, and a bit of planning to do, but we’ll investigate it.”
Having a ninth game at Magic Round would mean introducing a Thursday night game. Penrith would likely have to use the game as a bye round. The 2025 schedule is yet to be locked in by the NRL.
Quotes from SMH.
