Broncos plan NRL pre-season boost by hosting Super League clubs at Suncorp Stadium

THE Broncos are so keen about the World Club Series format that they want to host English clubs in pre-season games at Suncorp Stadium.

WIGAN, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: Josh Charnley of Wigan Warriors is tackled by Aaron Whitchurch of Brisbane Broncos during the World Club Series match between Wigan Warriors and Brisbane Broncos at DW Stadium on February 21, 2015 in Wigan, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

THE Broncos are so keen about the World Club Series format that they want to host English clubs in pre-season games at Suncorp Stadium.

Four NRL clubs will be invited to the series in England, and organisers want this season’s top three teams to contest games against the top four Super League clubs.

Broncos chief executive Paul White said his club was interested in again playing in England after taking part in the inaugural series this year, along with South Sydney and St George Illawarra.

“I’ve made my thoughts clear to the NRL that we saw a significant attraction of bringing English sides to Australia,’’ White said.

“It was great for the game to have our clubs playing in three sold-out games in England.’’

White said the WCS and Auckland Nines would become more important and provide additional revenue streams.

In 1994, Wigan beat the Broncos in a World Club Challenge match at Brisbane’s Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre (QEII) which drew 54,220 spectators.

BRONCOS WIN: Five things we learned

LOCKYER: Cowboys face defining moment

Cowboys boss Paul Green wants details before getting on board.

North Queensland coach Paul Green wants to see details of the commitment needed from the high-flying Cowboys, as he is wary of the amount of pre-season events and camps required of clubs.

“They (English league officials) called for expressions of interest. We are interested,’’ Green said.

“(But) we aren’t jumping over the moon. We would like more details.’’

Green is wary about the increasing workload of pre-season tournaments, in addition to representative camps earlier in the summer, as a potential barrier to good premiership form in March.

Super League general manager Blake Solly claims 12 of the NRL’s 16 clubs had expressed a desire to be involved.

English promoters had raised with the NRL the chance of starting the 2016 season with a game at London’s Wembley Stadium, telecast live to Australia, but the idea has not proved a winner with the NRL.

The WCS is attractive to smaller profile NRL clubs to raise awareness in the English market and also give most of their squad a chance to have an overseas tour experience they would not otherwise receive.