St Helens given worrying warning of “deadly” conditions ahead of World Club Challenge

The reigning Betfred Super League champions, St Helens, have travelled to Australia in February 2023 to face NRL champions, Penrith Panthers, for the World Club Challenge in what will be new head coach, Paul Wellens’ first competitive fixture.

The match will take place at the home of the Panthers, the BlueBet Stadium on Saturday 18 February, 2023 (6pm KO local/ 7am UK).

In what will be a first for fans in the UK, the World Club Challenge will be broadcast free-to-air by Channel 4 and will be part of double header by the broadcaster that day with the Betfred Super League clash between Hull KR and Wigan Warriors live at 1pm.

The game will also be shown on Sky Sports.

This will mark the 8th time St Helens have played in the World Club Challenge, with two victories to their name, coming in 2001 and 2007, both against Brisbane Broncos.

Penrith Panthers have previously appeared twice in the World Club Challenge, being beaten by Wigan Warriors (1991) and also being beaten by Bradford Bulls (2004).

Due to St Helens travelling to Australia in early February, their Betfred Super League Round 1 fixture, due to be against Huddersfield Giants, has been postponed until a date later in the season. Details of which will be confirmed in due course.

Over the weekend, Saints laid down a marker against St George Illawarra Dragons beating them 30-18.

But still a persistent narrative is played by those down under that the Saints won’t be able to cope with the heat.

Saturday’s win came later in the day and was therefore cooler but former South Sydney Rabbitohs forward Nathan Gibbs who is a doctor in the impact of the significant heat in Sydney’s west has issued a warning for St Helens.

‘Serious heat illness can kill you,’ Dr Gibbs said according to the Daily Mail.

‘Heat stroke is deadly. Heat stress doesn’t occur suddenly. You need the medical staff to closely monitor players who are starting to develop signs of dehydration, which include fatigue, cramping and exhaustion.

‘The Australian players have been training here all summer so they are acclimatised to the heat. Acclimatisation is a big part of preparing for heat stress.’