Penrith co-captain Nathan Cleary has called for the World Club Challenge to form part of next year’s Magic Round in Brisbane.
The Panthers would traditionally play Super League champions Wigan in the pre-season showdown, but logistics are proving too tough next year with both sides due to play in Las Vegas on the first weekend of March.
Penrith have said they would be unable to play in the match due to the tight scheduling.
But Cleary, who was at Old Trafford to see the Warriors beat Hull KR last weekend, hopes a way is found to play the game.
“Would love to be able to play the WCC at Magic Round next year,” he said.
“I understand the logistics of getting the game on would be difficult but I think it would be a great spectacle.”
The idea has the backing of Fox League and SEN broadcaster Andrew Voss, who floated it earlier this month.
In theory the NRL could schedule the World Club Challenge for the Thursday night, allowing the usual schedule of eight NRL games to run across Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Magic Round. Penrith would be given the bye.
Wigan making the trip to Australia in the middle of the Super League season would perhaps be the biggest challenge.
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has other ideas – he’d like to see the match played in Las Vegas.
“My honest feeling is it would be great if we could do it in Vegas,” Cleary told Today.
“It would be pretty cool if we could line that one up but I guess it’s hard to organise.”
The Weekender also understands the Panthers would have considered going to England to play the World Club Challenge prior to heading to Las Vegas, but only if governing bodies would cover the cost of the gap between the England and American fixture.
Troy Dodds
Troy Dodds is the Weekender's Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia's leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.