Super League rugby will "host a match outside Europe for the first time" in February when Wigan and Hull "will play a fixture in Australia," according to Aaron Bower of the London GUARDIAN. Wigan, which is "understood to have forfeited a home game to facilitate the move," will face Hull at the WIN Stadium in Wollongong on Feb. 10 before traveling to Sydney to complete a three-match tour. After their league game, the sides will compete in the first Super League-National Rugby League doubleheader at ANZ Stadium, when Wigan will face NRL side South Sydney before Hull plays St. George Illawarra. Wigan expects "around 5,000 fans to make the 12,000-mile journey" (GUARDIAN, 7/26). In London, Evan Bartlett reported Super League said that the decision is "part of its strategy to promote club rugby league" on the national and int'l stage and is being supported by the NSW government. Hull Chair Adam Pearson said, "This is a landmark occasion for the sport of rugby league and an opportunity for Hull FC to play our part in making Super League history." Tickets and travel packages will go sale in August (INDEPENDENT, 7/26).
