Holbrook calls for World Club Challenge switch

Departing St Helens boss Justin Holbrook has called for a change in the World Club Challenge schedule, report the St Helens Reporter.

Holbrook guided Saints to their seventh Super League title after beating Salford at Old Trafford on Saturday.

They will now compete in the World Club Challenge against Sydney Roosters early next year, however new head coach Kristian Woolf will be in charge by then.

That’s what Holbrook sees as the fault in the system, and would love to see it played the week after the Grand Final: “I would love the World Club Challenge to be next week.

“I think it would be great if the two Grand Finals were played on the same weekend and the World Club the following week, because then you’d have the same two sides.’

“Wigan put up a great fight against the Roosters earlier this year, but they didn’t have John Bateman and Sam Tomkins and it’ll be the same next year.

“Neither will the Roosters have Cooper Cronk and all that, but it is hard to fit in with the international schedule.

“I won’t be coaching Saints then, but I am just so happy they’ve earned the right to play for that World Club Challenge.”