'We'll play anywhere' Wigan Warriors chief delivers World Club Challenge offer to Penrith

[josie andrews]

The Warriors CEO says the club are willing to play Penrith anywhere to ensure the game goes ahead.

Wigan Warriors will play Penrith Panthers anywhere on the planet to make sure the World Club Challenge goes ahead. That's the message from club CEO Kris Radlinski who is preparing to launch conversations with the management of the NRL champions in an attempt to book a rematch between the best two teams the sport has to offer.

Wigan's defence of the Super League title on Saturday night saw them earn the right to defend the world title next year, a trophy they won after defeating the Panthers in an enthralling contest in February. However, any hopes of a second battle appeared to have been crushed when the Penrith CEO, Brian Fletcher, said there was "no way in the world" that they would compete due to concerns for the welfare of their players.

Radlinski admitted that Fletcher's public admission was the first time he had been made aware of Penrith's position but intends to do everything he can to find a solution that works for all parties, with the Warriors desperate to get a second instalment in next year's calendar.

"I've been reluctant to talk about it until we're in the conversation but I'll try my best this week," Radlinski told Rugby League Live.

"I started conversations with Vegas and always had the World Club Challenge in mind. The date was set, but things have changed. I've read about it in the press like everyone else, unfortunately.

"It would be really sad for it to fall away after what was built last year. I thought Penrith were amazing, the occasion was amazing, but to read it's not going to happen, it's not what we want.

"We'll play in the UK, we'll play in Australia, we'll play anywhere if it can be done."

Heading down under would give the Warriors a tough schedule at the start of the 2025 season. The World Club Challenge is scheduled for the week before the Vegas extravaganza, where Wigan are playing Warrington Wolves as part of an expanded event. Radlinski insists Wigan are willing to do it.

"Is it a big ask? A group of blokes living the dream of playing rugby all around the world? We're not roofing in the rain, that's a difficult job. Whatever it takes, we will play it. We did Vegas on the premise a date was set. Things have changed, which is unfortunate, but it's been hard to have the conversation until we're in the big dance. Now we're in the big dance and I'll try. It needs two people to make it happen.

"It's a big ask because Penrith have come out and mentioned fatigue, which is their prerogative. I respect them as a club for everything they did last year. But I don't want to lose what was an amazing occasion for Super League and the NRL last year.

"We want to play rugby league on the biggest stage. Will it be a big ask on the players? Of course it will, but what an opportunity as well. We want to play."

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

[Beryl O'Neill]

Why not try to fit it in to play it in Vegas if everyone will be there.It would be a great promotion and advertisement for the game .Just an idea.if the RFL promoted properly

[southportcdm]

We seem very keen to put this match on and now Cleary has made a statement about wanting to play the match mid-season with us travelling to Penrith. I hope we don't end up asking too much of our lads next season. If it's likely to affect our own season too much we should give it a miss for a year.

[M6 Warrior]

Far from me to question the wisdom of Matty, Rads and Co, but I really worry that travelling to Aus then on to Vegas could seriously derail our season for quite a while when we get back. The Super League is still the most important trophy and I’d rather see the boys win at Wembley again than beat Warrington on another continent. We’ve seen this season that we can’t afford to lose any more than 5 games if we want to finish too/with a home semi final.

Let’s hope our willingness to travel anywhere doesn’t come back to haunt us. I’ve got faith in the coaching team to get this right but I’ll be more than a tad anxious early doors next season

[endoman]

Unless they play it in Vegas instead of Wire, ( which I simply can't see happening). the I see no way it can be played without a significant effect on the players. Going to Oz one week, then Vegas the next would knock the stuffing out of them for weeks. Taken me 2 weeks to fully get over a flight back from the West Coast of USA and I do it a couple of times a year. One possible way might be start the year in Oz, do a week or 2 pre season there, then go to Vegas. Speccies won't be going to both though....

[kitt green warriors]

I like Nathan Cleary's idea of playing it at Magic round in Brisbane next May. Second part of the article. It would solve alot of problems plus both teams would be proper match fit.

https://au.sports.yahoo.com/nathan-clea ... 51180.html

[kitt green warriors]

I've just been watching the interview Rads gave over here and I reckon he wants a bit of Magic round, any road it's a good watch.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WmOG8PU1hVU

[munromagic]

I am sorry to be a kill joy! On another thread people have been complaining that rugby league , nationally, is a second rate sport and we are unlikely to win anything on BBC sport personality of the year. why oh why are we bothering to go to Vegas to play a 'home' game when it will get same coverage on tv as a cold night in Cas.
Surely it makes sense to concentrate on making rugby league a mainstream sport in UK before going global.

[fozzie58]

What troubles me with this pleading to play the WCC anywhere is Penrith have rightly said no it was always on the cards that if they won again it,the vegas date was pretty much set in stone yet Wigan pushed on with their vegas plans so it was always on the cards by that move along the WCC was a no go for this season.

Let’s be fair if they say ok let’s all bugger off to the other side of the world in mid may 2/3 weeks out of the normal season to get over there and do it justice,what about the challenge cup final the Wigan are shaping up they could end up easily being there the way they are playing at present do we expect them to perform as well while recovering from this proposed trip?

What about player welfare?

Time to accept Wigan are world champs again by default this season and stop being silly

[josie andrews]

World Club Challenge's hidden snag that ruins NRL Magic Round plan

It has been explained why Wigan Warriors' prospects of playing in the NRL's annual weekend event next year aren't viable.

The latest proposal to get the World Club Challenge on appears to have hit a snag after Penrith Panthers' CEO explained why Magic Round is a no-go. Nathan Cleary appeared to breathe life into hopes that the game could take place when he proposed that the match take place during the NRL's big weekend.

Wigan Warriors are desperate for the game to take place and have stated that they are willing to go down under to defend the crown they earned by beating Penrith earlier this year. In theory, the Magic Round is a good opportunity as there are 17 NRL teams, leaving one team with a bye. Wigan's involvement would fix that issue.

However, Penrith CEO Brian Fletcher appears to have poured cold water on that idea after revealing a hidden snag that makes the prospect unrealistic.

Speaking to James Graham on The Bye Round, Fletcher said: "You know there's a commercial arrangement that's already in place with the NRL for the next three years (for us) to be the home team at Brisbane. There's a commercial arrangement there to play a certain opponent.

"I've been trading emails with Kris Radlinski overnight and the window is just so small for them, for us. With mandated leave, which rolls into mandate training periods before you can play, the window to play that game, complicated by Vegas.

"We've been looking at it. From Penrith's point of view, Kris is keen to go it on but from the Panthers' point of view, we're just really struggling at the moment to see where it fits in the schedule with all the other arrangements."

Fletcher did say the return-to-play and welfare protocols in place could be waived, which would make the traditional early-season date a reality. But Fletcher stated the club was reluctant to do that.

"It could be, but this is the fifth pre-season in a row we've started late so our decision is more about player wellbeing at the moment. It's the fifth year in a row the players are coming back the first week of January and we're expecting them to play in this instance, a Grand Final, the second week of February."

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