Souths & Brisbane set to be apart of WCC

[RWB]

Even if they don't finally break their premiership drought, South Sydney are poised to play in next year's World Club Challenge.
The Rabbitohs and Brisbane are in discussions to take part in an expanded WCC in Britain next year that will involve three NRL teams and three from the Super League.

As is custom, the premiers from each competition will square off, but this time two additional Australian sides will be financially compensated for making the trip across to the Old Dart. The marquee English clubs – Wigan, St Helens, Hull, Warrington and Leeds – are the teams most likely to be involved but that list needs to be cut down to three participants from each nation. It's likely the matches will be staged across a Friday, Saturday and Sunday in February.

The Rabbitohs are keen to be involved and their chief executive, Shane Richardson, is currently in Britain. Brisbane have also expressed interest and would also be a huge drawcard for English fans.

The Sydney Roosters belted Wigan 36-14 at the most recent WCC at Allianz Stadium but taking an expanded concept to Britain is considered an ideal opportunity to promote the game in the country. An announcement confirming teams is expected in coming weeks.

source: http://m.smh.com.au/rugby-league/so...t-of-world-club-challenge-20140705-zswzp.html

Couldn't find a thread on this anywhere else.

Surely not? Surely we can't destroy the history & significance of this game just because Souths & Brisbane "want to be apart of it".

I think most people agree that the current timing and format of the competition could be changed to make it even greater but it's still a huge game held in high regard by both sets of supporters from the respective reigning premiers.

I'm all for opening the competition to more sides but it should be the sides who deserve it.

Good luck to Souths and Brisbane if they want to play sides from England but don't drag the competitions name through the mud in the process if you're not deserving of playing in the WCC.

 

[some11]

Absolutely despised this when I first heard it, hate it even more now that it's actually going ahead.

The World Club Challenge is between the two premiers, anything else is a farce.

 

[God-King Dean]

lol@souff$

 

[I Bleed Maroon]

If I could play devils advocate for a minute, so we're to throw away a great chance to expand the international game yet further over "tradition"?

Devils advocate hat off, I'm not a huge fan of this either. It seems like an unnecessary distraction in pre season preparations for the sake of a bit of publicity. The article in the OP is interesting as it relates to Brisbane's appeal in Britain. I didn't know where were that popular over there.

 

[RWB]

If I could play devils advocate for a minute, so we're to throw away a great chance to expand the international game yet further over "tradition"?

Like I said no issues with growing the International game, good luck to Souths & Brisbane if they want to play pre-season games against English sides but don't do it under the banner of the WCC.

It would damage one of the few good things the international game has going for it at the moment, not improve it.

 

[southwalesrabbitoh]

I like this possible weekend. The WCC will be on the Sunday, the other two are promotional matches, apparently Souths are playing in Perpignan against the Catalonia Dragons, unless one of them wins the Grand Final, which I doubt. And Brisbane against the English Grand Final runners-up, I would hope. Otherwise I guess it'll be Wigan, as I expect Leeds to win the Final this year.

 

[blaza88z]

Why can't we have a champions league type competition before the regular season instead of having 2 teams play off against one and other where the home team normally wins anyway

 

[Big Sam]

RL's two strongest club brands leading the way like usual and all the others can do is whinge because they didn't think of it first.

 

[TheDalek079]

Brisbane gave up huge lead against Sharks.....don't deserve to be in the WCC

 

[_snafu_]

Souffs have won f**k all in over 40 years. They should not be considered.

 

[oldmancraigy]

So if they aren't premiers (and they won't be), Rabbitohs and Broncos will play exhibition games in the UK in the pre season?

Why is everyone wetting their panties about it?

 

[madunit]

RL's two strongest club brands leading the way like usual and all the others can do is whinge because they didn't think of it first.

Lol

 

[madunit]

So if they aren't premiers (and they won't be), Rabbitohs and Broncos will play exhibition games in the UK in the pre season?

Why is everyone wetting their panties about it?

Because they are clearly exhibition games being played under the guise of the WCC when they have nothing to do with it.

Its cheapening the WCC to hype up essentially exhibition/trial games that mean nothing.

 

[Big Sam]

Because they are clearly exhibition games being played under the guise of the WCC when they have nothing to do with it.

Its cheapening the WCC to hype up essentially exhibition/trial games that mean nothing.

We are an ambitious club that wants to expand its brand globally. In which other part of the year do you suggest we do this?

 

[gUt]

Part of me thinks so what, it's just a glorified trial and more footy > less. I wouldn't really give a rats if it were another club and not the broncos invited. But the other part would rather the WCC be left as what it has always been etc.

Ps what's the bet the broncs get the Friday night game hur hur hur

 

[southwalesrabbitoh]

Because they are clearly exhibition games being played under the guise of the WCC when they have nothing to do with it.

Its cheapening the WCC to hype up essentially exhibition/trial games that mean nothing.

Nah, Sky will hype it up to be a SL vs. NRL weekend (with England vs. Australia in there too), so I guess there will be golden point extra-time for the first two matches as well.

 

[madunit]

We are an ambitious club that wants to expand its brand globally. In which other part of the year do you suggest we do this?

I don't give a shit when & where you mob do this. I'm opposed to it being referred to as a WCC fixture (if Souths don't win the premiership)

How are you missing this point?

 

[Joker's Wild]

Brisbane gave up huge lead against Sharks.....don't deserve to be in the WCC

Much like the Roosters did?

Anyhoo, I like the idea of our club sides going over there and showing the poms how its done. I dont have an issue with it being done under the WCC banner because they are essentially under card matches.

Not sure why there is resistance to this. It would be awesome if some ESL clubs came down here to do the same

 

[MrAnonymous]

Mind blown they would invite a scum club like The Broncos.

 

[ek999]

Much like the Roosters did?

Anyhoo, I like the idea of our club sides going over there and showing the poms how its done. I dont have an issue with it being done under the WCC banner because they are essentially under card matches.

Not sure why there is resistance to this. It would be awesome if some ESL clubs came down here to do the same

I like the idea of expanding the WCC. But I think it should be the premiers and the two highest other teams on the ladder. Not just Souths and Brisbane. Also what will happen if one of them win the comp