One of the leading voices in the NRL has offered up a solution to put the World Club Challenge on in 2025 after its apparent cancellation.
That cancellation has come on behalf of NRL champions Penrith Panthers with their Chief Executive Brian Fletcher arguing that there was “no way in the world” that the game could possibly be played.
Fletcher cited player burnout and the fact that the Panthers, like Super League champions Wigan Warriors, will play in Las Vegas in early March.
The comments from Fletcher were a huge blow and seemed to be the end of the matter but since Wigan’s victory in the Grand Final on Saturday night, there has been renewed optimism that the game could be made to work.
Leading the charge has been Wigan CEO Kris Radlinski but also NRL star and Penrith co-captain Nathan Cleary who called for the game to be hosted during the NRL Magic Round, in the middle of the season.
How, when, where and if the World Club Challenge can be played seem to be the trending topic down under with two other major NRL voices debating.
NRL duo debate World Club Challenge future
That pair are Andrew Voss and Greg Alexander who spoke on their eponymous Vossy and Brandy Breakfast Show on SEN with Voss being the first to express ‘disappointment’ at the cancellation, something he claimed had been ‘rammed home’ after witnessing Wigan’s 9-2 win over Hull KR at Old Trafford.
Vossy explained: “I am disappointed that Wigan won’t play Penrith. Having watched the Grand Final the other night and Wigan now completing their Grand Slam, I’m disappointed that they don’t play the four-time champion Penrith. It rammed home the disappointment.”
His co-host Alexander shared those feelings but exclaimed that he simply could not see a way for the game to be fit into the schedule.
“I don’t think it can (fit in the calendar),” he explained.
“I think the World Club Challenge is just unfortunate and finds itself in a position this year where the premiers of the English Super League and the NRL are playing in Vegas. They’re playing early.
“The season starts early for them so that rules out the game and Wigan have said that they won’t come to Australia which I don’t think really mattered in the end, but that sort of put a little bit of a different spin on it and we just can’t fit it in this year. That doesn’t mean that the concept is dead.”
On the suggestion of playing the game during NRL Magic Round, which would require Penrith to forfeit a bye and instead play Wigan, Brandy rubbished the suggestion despite the fact Nathan Cleary would call for it just hours later.
Brandy argued: “There’s no way you’re giving up a bye. You’re not giving up a bye and then playing for no points at Magic round. That sounds good in theory but the season’s too long.
That led to a different solution proposed by Vossy, with the Las Vegas event being earmarked as the possible date and venue in the coming years.
“I suppose all they could do down the track is the World Club Challenge is always played in Vegas, but then you don’t know the teams until after the Grand Final,” he added.
“The other games would be locked in and the fourth game is the World Cup Challenge because the Americans love a World Series and a World Champion.”
Dinuka
October 17, 2024 at 11:49 am
Penrith can still be awarded the two bye points if they do the WCC during magic round. It’s still a bye from the NRL for them. All they would be giving up is a week’s rest. Just give them two bottom of the ladder teams the week’s before and after so they would be more inclined to rest players then.
Anonymous
October 17, 2024 at 6:14 pm
What the hell are bye points?
Nathanael
October 17, 2024 at 6:17 pm
Entire thing stinks of NRL executives not caring about anything but the NRL. Many workable solutions are present. Penrith complaining about one additional fixture yet are happy for the NRL to add a 17th and 18th team.
Anonymous
October 18, 2024 at 3:34 am
Just excuses Penrithplaye27 matche Wigan played 34
Saints played Penrith away. played and beat stgeorge then played and beat Penrith
Which teams should be burnt out
Looks like excuse