The World Club Series "may be expanded further next year" to include four teams from both the National Rugby League and Super League, including this season's top three highest finishing sides, according to Brad Walter of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Officials will conduct a review of the tournament before "deciding what format it should take next year, but the success of the three matches last weekend has ensured the World Club Series becomes a regular fixture" on the rugby league calendar, with ratings figures in Britain "comparable to those for the Super League grand final." With the three invited NRL clubs, South Sydney, Brisbane and St. George Illawarra, reaping financial benefits from their decision to travel to England in a bid to kickstart a competition that organizers hope will "become like football's UEFA Champions League, other clubs are understood to be keen on playing next season." South Sydney coach Michael Maguire said, "I think for us as a club globally, it opens up so many doors. For our sponsors and Crown and every other sponsor that is involved it actually opens them up to the world now and from that point alone I think financially for clubs there is definitely going to be a big interest." The three matches were "either sold out or near capacity and attracted significantly bigger crowds than usual." Besides the three Super League clubs who played in the inaugural World Club Series, "Leeds, Catalans and Hull FC were also keen to be involved" (SMH, 2/24).
