Why World Club Challenge could be at risk with cancellation a possibility

[Wigan_forever1985]

My opinion of the way the Aussies rate the competitions is

Blue ribbon
SOO
NRL Finals

Care about but not as much
NRL Minors

Play to win but dont really care about
Internationals
WCC

[moto748]

Spot-on.

[Firestarter]

My opinion of the way the Aussies rate the competitions is

Blue ribbon
SOO
NRL Finals

Care about but not as much
NRL Minors

Play to win but dont really care about
Internationals
WCC

Aint that the truth.Unfortunate but true.Anyone that doesnt believe it go to aus and ask the real fans

[Mike]

My opinion of the way the Aussies rate the competitions is

Blue ribbon
SOO
NRL Finals

Care about but not as much
NRL Minors

Play to win but dont really care about
Internationals
WCC

Id say WCC is below internationals. They go out of their way to call it a preseason warmup game. But they smash up the dressing room when they lose a Test.

[josie andrews]

'No way in the world': Hull KR's World Club Challenge hopes over as Penrith Panthers outline stance

Hull KR's hopes of making their World Club Challenge debut appear to be over after the chief executive of Penrith Panthers declared that there is "no way in the world" the NRL champions could fit the fixture into their early 2025 schedule.

The all-conquering Panthers beat Melbourne Storm last weekend to retain their title, which would ordinarily set up a date with the Super League champions.

However, Penrith are due to kick off their 2025 season in Las Vegas on March 1 as part of a rugby league festival that will see Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves lock horns.

A World Club Challenge appearance was also deemed unlikely for Wigan due to logistical issues but Hull KR were prepared to travel to Australia to face the NRL champions.

The Robins, who will appear in their first Super League Grand Final this weekend, have yet to feature in a World Club Challenge.

That wait is set to continue regardless of the result at Old Trafford, with Penrith CEO Brian Fletcher telling The Daily Telegraph that the idea is a non-starter.

"You couldn't put the players through it," said Fletcher. "We can’t play it. We don't have the timespan. It's impractical.

"There's no way in the world we could fit it into the schedule. Our coaches and football department have said the players couldn't stand up to it.

"The amount of football that they’ve played and then a World Club Challenge before we go to Vegas – it becomes too much.

"Player welfare is the biggest problem. We have 20-odd players in the Pacific Test matches as well and we have a lot of surgery to be done on players over the off-season."

Penrith have had the NRL title under lock and key since 2021 but the World Club Challenge has eluded them.

The Panthers lost to St Helens on home soil in 2023 before going down to Wigan in England earlier this year.

The 14-6 triumph over Melbourne gave them another shot at the trophy but they are happy for their wait to go on.

"You wouldn’t be able to get them ready for an early game in early February," added Fletcher.

"We'd have a job to put together a team by then because they wouldn't be physically fit. And we'd need them fit for Vegas. There wouldn't be a hope in Hades and we have told the NRL."

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/r ... ce-4814482

[josie andrews]

Penrith have been forced to abandon playing the prestigious World Club Challenge amid fears of player burnout.

https://x.com/telegraph_sport/status/18 ... 53025?s=61

Someone replied "I guess that makes us Wotld Club Champions until at least 2026!”

But according to one Yorkshire press " HKR denied chance of competing in the World Club Challenge"!

Anyone would think they’ve already won the GF.

[Mike]

Surely a slight re-arrangement would see Penrith v Wigan in Vegas and Wires against Penriths opponents. Should be doable (but would the will to do it would be required by the NRL and they absolutely don't have that, so I'd agree the WCC is off nextt season.)

At least I'll be able to tell the Pathers their running scared of losing 3 in row.

[josie andrews]

World Club Challenge crisis talks set with all hope not lost after Penrith resistance

There are still hopes that a solution can be found that would allow the game to take place.

Talks between RL Commercial and the NRL will take place today in an attempt to salvage next year's World Club Challenge. Hopes for the fixture appear to be in tatters after Penrith Panthers CEO Brian Fletcher said there wasn't a chance that they would contest the match next season.

As NRL champions, Penrith have qualified to feature in the match against Super League's best, which will be determined this weekend when Wigan Warriors take on Hull KR. However, hopes for the game are now under serious threat given Penrith's public position on the matter.

It had already been indicated that the game would not take place if Penrith and Wigan were pitted against one another due to logistical challenges arising from both clubs' involvement in the Las Vegas weekend, which is scheduled to take place just one week after the World Club Challenge. It had been deemed impractical for either club to travel halfway around the world to then head to Vegas.

However, Hull KR are thought to be more than happy to travel to Australia if it allows them to compete against the Panthers and are willing to accommodate Penrith in any way possible.

Wigan's Vegas flights are set for Sunday, February 16th, one day after the World Club Challenge was due to take place.

A call has been arranged between organisers today, one that has added significance after Penrith made their position clear. Both Wigan and Hull KR have been involved in those discussions this week.

Despite winning four consecutive NRL titles, Penrith have never won a World Club Challenge. They lost on home soil to St Helens last year, then were defeated by Wigan at the start of the current season.


https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... ommunities

[ancientnloyal]

Schedule is tight especially with vegas.

Just means we hold it for another year even if KR beat us

[Wigan_forever1985]

I did mention this and i appreciate that it would take a rearranged league game at home but "if" we won why couldnt we play them in vegas for WCC?