St Helens will face one of their “greatest ever” challenges when they face NRL champions Penrith Panthers in Sydney on February 18.
After weeks of discussions, details for the much-anticipated 2023 World Club Challenge have tonight been confirmed and unveiled Red-hot Saints, who have won the last four Super League Grand Finals, will make the trip Down Under for what will be Paul Wellens’ first game in charge as head coach.
Brilliant Penrith, of course, have claimed back-to-back NRL titles and many of their players - including Kanagaroos stars Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo plus Samoa’s Jerome Luai and Stephen Crichton -are currently featuring here in the World Cup. The match will take place at the home of the Panthers, the BlueBet Stadium on Saturday February 18 (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 part of double-header by the broadcaster that day with the Super League clash between Hull KR and Wigan Warriors live at 1pm. Largely due to the pandemic, the showdown between the respective competitions’ champions has not taken place since Sydney Roosters won 20-12 at St Helens in 2020.
It will be the first time a Super League side has travelled Down Under since Leeds Rhinos were thrashed 38-4 by Melbourne Storm in 2018 and only Wigan have won in Australia when they famously defeated Brisbane in 1994. St Helens chairman Eamonn McManus said: “The 2023 season is the 150th anniversary of our club. The only attainable achievement which has eluded us during our history is to be crowned World Club Champions in Australia.
“Many consider this Penrith Panthers side to be one of, if not the, best side in the history of the NRL. Similarly, St Helens are experiencing an unparalleled period of success in Super League. The game in Sydney will represent one of the greatest challenges that St Helens has ever faced. We are really looking forward to meeting it head on.”
Have your say! Who'll win the World Club Challenge - St Helens or Penrith Panthers? Let us know in the comments section.
Wellens, the assistant coach who replaces Kristian Woolf, said: “Both ourselves and Penrith have had unrivalled success in recent years and we are relishing the opportunity to go over to Australia and test ourselves against what is undoubtedly a great team.
“It had been disappointing for us that we’ve been unable to have this contest in the last couple of years, but it’s great news not just for both clubs, but for the game as a whole that the best teams in both competitions can once again compete in the World Club Challenge.
“We are obviously motivated by achieving further success and this gives us as a club an early opportunity to do exactly that in 2023. We aim to represent ourselves, the town of St Helens and the Super League competition in the best possible manner.”
It marks the eight time Saints have played in the World Club Challenge, with two victories to their name, Wellens playing when they defeated Brisbane in 2001 and 2007.
Penrith have previously appeared twice but were beaten by Wigan Warriors (1991) and Bradford Bulls (2004). Penrith chief executive officer Matt Cameron said: “On behalf of all at Panthers, we look forward to welcoming St Helens to BlueBet Stadium in February.
“St Helens have been the benchmark team in the Super League for several years now, which will give the Panthers a great challenge to start the new season. The World Club Challenge is an important piece of the rugby league calendar and it’s great to see the fixture return for the first time since 2020.”
Rhodri Jones, Super League chief commercial officer, said: “Following a two-year hiatus it is fantastic to see the World Club Challenge back in the calendar. Both teams have had phenomenal success in recent seasons and it will be great to see the best from Betfred Super League taking on the best from the NRL in a winner takes all match up.”
Due to St Helens travelling to Australia in early February, their Super League Round 1 fixture, due to be against Huddersfield Giants, has been postponed until a date later in the season.
