Tommy Maksinon expects IMG to look closely at this area of rugby league

IMG are set to come in and re-imagine rugby league and there is one thing at the start of this season that they should keep an eye on and that is the World Club Challenge.

St Helens head down under to take on Penrith Panthers on 18th February in a clash of champions and something that rugby league rarely delivers unlike in football and rugby union with the likes of the Champions League.

St Helens winger Tommy Makinson has now called on IMG to look at the concept and whether they should move the World Club Challenge to the end of the season.

He said:

“I am excited by IMG, I am welcoming that. The only way is up for our game, it is great to watch but there is a lot of improvement for us.

“There is so many things including when the game should be played, perhaps at the end of the year, that is one of the things IMG could look at but it might be the case where they simply can’t do it because there is so many games.

“People way above my paygrade can sort all that out. We’re just happy it’s here.”

Happy it’s year and spurred on by the disappointment of the Rugby League World Cup as well:

“Definitely, any disappointment spurs you on. It was a great tournament and we didn’t achieve what we wanted to achieve.

“Now we’re taking on the best of the best, if we can come out on top it would be great.”