St Helens to be gifted golden opportunity to be crowned best in the world in Penrith Panthers’ backyard as ex-Huddersfie

[josie andrews]

The one game everyone wants to see is the clash between the Super League Champions St Helens and the NRL Champions Penrith Panthers.

This is because, not only are they the champions of their respective competitions, but they are also the team to define the last three or more seasons in rugby league in their country.

St Helens have finished top of the league in three of the last five seasons, they won the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley in 2021 against Castleford and have won the Super League Grand Final a record four times in a row against four different opponents in the shape of Salford Red Devils, Wigan Warriors, Catalans Dragons and the Leeds Rhinos

Meanwhile, Penrith have played in the last three NRL Grand Finals. After losing to Melbourne Storm in 2020, they defeated South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2021 prior to claiming a second consecutive title with a win over Parramatta in 2022 with what could be described as the most dominant title defence in NRL history.

So, it would a treat to see the two meet in a reboot of the World Club Challenge which hasn’t happened since St Helens met Sydney Roosters in 2020.

Yesterday, reports down under from The Age, said that the game would happen and take place in Penrith to prevent their players from having to come to Britain for the World Cup, leave and then return again prior to the start of the NRL.

This means Saints would follow in the footsteps of Wigan in 2014 and Leeds in 2018. The game would also act as Penrith’s second trial match prior to the defence of their NRL crown.

However, reports suggest that St Helens will be gifted a golden opportunity to be crowned the best in the world with it being expected that many of Penrith’s stars won’t play assuming the likes of Australia and Samoa go as far as expected in the World Cup.

Their extended break would mean they wouldn’t return to training till the end of January meaning they could very well not feature with Panthers boss Brian Fletcher even saying “It will also give some of our younger boys the chance to have a run against a quality side.”

Thus, the likelihood is that Saints wouldn’t have to face off against the likes of Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai in the halves but in fact former Huddersfield Giants halfback Jack Cogger who joined Penrith yesterday as a back up half.

Cogger and his young teammates are no doubt full of quality, but facing a Penrith side without some of their stars would present Paul Wellens and St Helens with a huge opportunity to be crowned the best in the world.

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/st-helen ... lay-61006/

[josie andrews]

Typical!!

[CheshireWarrior]

Absolute disgrace! If that's the case, I hope Penrith boycott it!

[fozzieskem]

If this is the case then why bother?

[moto748]

If they can't show the basic respect to field a full-strength side, why bother at all?

I admire the Penrith team, but Cleary is one of the most NRL-centric coaches of all of them.

[moto748]

And the website's slant on it, as somehow a blessing in disguise, is as wrong-headed as it's possible to be.

[Gerrumonside]

Let’s hope Wayne uses that as motivation - can we meet Australia in the semi’s?

[CheshireWarrior]

Thinking on though, it might not be full strength Penrith outfit V Stains....they surely won't want to lose to an English club in their own back garden? I'd be more concerned if it was a weakened team travelling to Stains instead!

[Barney841]

I’d still fancy Penrith to beat them with an under strength team

[josie andrews]

St Helens could face Penrith Panthers in Australia in World Club Challenge

SAINTS could be set to travel Down Under for a World Club Challenge match against NRL champions Penrith Panthers in 2023.

It would be the first World Club Challenge fixture since 2020 when Saints hosted Sydney Roosters at the Totally Wicked Stadium, with the Covid pandemic seeing the annual contest axed for the past two years.

If the game gets the green light it will likely take place in Sydney next February, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

It is understood Penrith were reluctant to travel to England considering the amount of squad members the club has taking part in the current Rugby League World Cup.

However, reports say Saints coach Paul Wellens and Panthers counterpart Ivan Cleary are keen to see the fixture between the two champions from each hemisphere go ahead.

“It would have been impossible for us to go over there, but talk of them coming over here is excellent,” Panthers CEO Brian Fletcher told the Sydney Morning Herald.

We’ve only got word today that our second trial, instead of being against another NRL side, the NRL are investigating how they can bring St Helens to Sydney.

“The plan will be to play the game a week before the start of the NRL competition.

“We’d love for it to happen. It will be great for the area, it’s something different.

“It will also give some of our younger boys the chance to have a run against a quality side.”

Saints won a fourth Super League title in a row with a 24-12 victory over Leeds Rhinos at Old Trafford last month.

Meanwhile, Penrith have won the last two NRL titles.

The last time a World Club Challenge clash was held in Australia was in 2018 when Melbourne Storm beat Leeds 38-4.

Saints have won two World Club Challenges, both victories coming against Brisbane in 2001 and 2007, and have played in five others.

Penrith have previously made two World Club Challenge appearances, in 1991 and 2004, losing on both occasions to Wigan and Bradford respectively.

https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/230 ... challenge/