Expanded World Club Challenge To Include NRL Clubs South Sydney, Brisbane

Actor Russell Crowe's vision of an "expanded World Club Challenge will move a step closer to reality" when National Rugby League clubs South Sydney, Brisbane and "a third NRL team play the top three Super League clubs in England in February," according to Walter & Proszenko of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The teams will fly to England after the NRL All Stars match at Suncorp Stadium and are "scheduled to play against the top three Super League clubs" on Feb. 20, 21 and 22 in what are "almost certain to be three sellout matches." Full details of the expanded tournament "are expected to be announced on Friday but it is understood the two third-ranked teams will meet on the Friday night, followed by the two second-ranked teams on Saturday, with the NRL and Super League premiers to play on Sunday." The decision to expand the World Club Challenge to six teams "may be the first move towards a Champions League-type tournament floated by Crowe four years ago" (SMH, 9/2).