FORUMS FORUMS






RLFANS.COM
Celebrating
25 years service to
the Rugby League
Community!

  

The reigning Betfred Super League champions, St Helens, will travel to Australia in February 2023 to face NRL champions, Penrith Panthers, for the World Club Challenge in what will be new head coach, Paul Wellens’ first competitive fixture.

The match will take place at the home of the Panthers, the BlueBet Stadium on Saturday 18 February, 2023 (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 will be part of double header by the broadcaster that day with the Betfred Super League clash between Hull KR and Wigan Warriors live at 1pm.

This will mark the 8th time St Helens have played in the World Club Challenge, with two victories to their name, coming in 2001 and 2007, both against Brisbane Broncos. 

Penrith Panthers have previously appeared twice in the World Club Challenge, being beaten by Wigan Warriors (1991) and also being beaten by Bradford Bulls (2004).

Due to St Helens travelling to Australia in early February, their Betfred Super League Round 1 fixture, due to be against Huddersfield Giants, has been postponed until a date later in the season. Details of which will be confirmed in due course.

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.”

St Helens R.F.C. 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.”

St Helens R.F.C. Head Coach Paul Wellens 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 undoubtably a great team. 

“It had been disappointing for us that we’ve been unable to have this contest in last couple of years, but it’s great news not just for both Club’s, 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.”

Penrith Panthers 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.”



facebook sharing button
twitter sharing button
pinterest sharing button
email sharing button
sharethis sharing button


Posted by RLFANS News Hound on Thu 10th Nov 2022 8:10 AM | Views : 10846 | Replies : 0 | BACK TO STORIES
RLFANS Recent Posts
FORUM
LAST
POST
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
2m
Squad for Catalan
CW8
19
3m
New Investors
BullRaider
2
3m
The Good Friday Derby Massacre
ComeOnYouUll
153
4m
Investment
dddooommm
30
8m
Wigan/Saints
ratticusfinc
2
13m
York - 14th April
BarnsleyTrin
22
17m
Rd 6 I Cas A
KaeruJim
132
19m
Fevround 2
The Phantom
92
25m
Smith - should he stay or should he go
B0NES
369
25m
BORED The Band Name Game
Boss Hog
56043
FORUM
LAST
VIEW
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
39s
State of the Nation
B0NES
230
52s
Ky Rodwell
FIL
112
1m
2024 Southstandercom Prediction Competition Week 6
rhinosTY
36
1m
Wigan/Saints
ratticusfinc
2
1m
Fevround 2
The Phantom
92
1m
Smith out ASAP
Backwoodsman
138
1m
TV games not Wire
rubber ducki
2868
2m
The Bulls away
terry silver
9
3m
WIRE YED Prediction Competition Catalans Home
rubber ducki
18
3m
Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE
Jason65
1935
FORUM
NEW
TOPICS
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
TODAY
New Investors
BullRaider
2
TODAY
Wigan/Saints
ratticusfinc
2
TODAY
Another Tigers Defeat As Rhinos Go Level Top
RLFANS News
1
TODAY
York - 14th April
BarnsleyTrin
22
TODAY
Stats article
Sir Gregory
5
TODAY
21 man Squads - Devils v Leopards
WYSIWYG2
5
TODAY
Squad for Catalan
CW8
19
TODAY
The Wigan Way - New Podcast - Chairman Special
Jukesays
1
TODAY
Dons v Swinton Lions 30 June 2024
Wanderer
1
TODAY
Squad for Sheffield
AdamH
1
TODAY
London Away
Fartown58
1
TODAY
The Bulls away
terry silver
9
TODAY
The official Leon Hayes Thread
Smiffy27
18
TODAY
Saints a
apollosghost
26
TODAY
Leon Ruan signs on loan
Jemmo
2
TODAY
Wardle
Jo Jumbuck
3
TODAY
Huddersfield - Home
Deadcowboys1
9
TODAY
Max Wood on loan to Bradford 2 weeks
rubber ducki
7
TODAY
Jake Wardle 5 Year deal
Zig
22
TODAY
No grade A for 2025 for Trinity
imwakefieldt
31
TODAY
Cup Quarter Final TV Arrangements
RLFANS News
1
NEWS ITEMS
VIEWS
Another Tigers Defeat As Rhino..
171
Cup Quarter Final TV Arrangeme..
591
2024 Challenge Cup Quarter Fin..
708
Easy Does It For The Dragons A..
597
Warrington Demolish London For..
701
Leigh Leopards Beat Plucky Fea..
755
Saints Triumph Over Disappoint..
734
Easy Win for the Wolves Over L..
973
Dragons Condemn Castleford To ..
939
Leigh Leopards Secure First Po..
1087
St Helens Tame The Rhinos To W..
1054
Wigan Warriors Come From Behin..
1125
Betfred Championship and Leagu..
1098
2024 Challenge Cup Sixth Round..
3885
Featherstone Win Extra Time Cu..
1215
RLFANS Match Centre
Matches on TV
Table 'boards.stats_fixtures' doesn't exist