Nathan Cleary proposes World Club Challenge fixture between Penrith and Wigan take place during NRL’s Magic Round
After the premiership-winning Panthers opted to abandon playing the prestigious World Club Challenge, superstar halfback Nathan Cleary has offered a way to salvage the fixture against English powerhouse Wigan Warriors.
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Penrith champion Nathan Cleary has offered to take on English powerhouse Wigan Warriors during the NRL’s Magic Round next season in a bid to salvage the prestigious World Club Challenge.
It comes after the four-time premiers opted out of the fixture amid fears of player burnout.
The Panthers informed the NRL of the decision after last Sunday’s grand final win over Melbourne, citing the club’s loaded end of season schedule which includes Test matches, end of season surgeries and next year’s trip to Las Vegas.
But Cleary offered a solution to Penrith’s conundrum, suggesting the clash against Wigan could be played during Magic Round in Brisbane.
Cleary was spotted with girlfriend and Matildas star Mary Fowler at Old Trafford, watching on as Wigan were crowned back-to-back Super League champions after defeating Hull KR last weekend.
“Congrats to Wigan on another win! They’re a great team,” Cleary said on Instagram.
“Would love to be able to play the WCC at magic round next year. I understand the logistics of getting the game on would be difficult but I think it would be a great spectacle.”
While the NRL is yet to confirm when Magic Round will be played in 2025, it is usually held in early May.
For Penrith to play the Warriors at Suncorp Stadium, the Panthers would have to request to be given the bye that weekend.
The NRL had been exploring the option of playing the World Club Challenge in Australia before the Panthers were set to travel to Las Vegas for the season opener but that plan was knocked by Penrith club CEO Brian Fletcher.
Speaking after Wigan’s 9-2 victory over Hull KR, CEO Kris Radlinski said he was disappointed Penrith had abandoned the fixture and the Warriors were willing to play “anywhere if it can be done.”
“We’ll play in the UK, we’ll play in Australia, we’ll play anywhere if it can be done,” Radlinski told reporters.
“Is it a big ask? A group of blokes living the dream of playing rugby all around the world? We’re not roofing in the rain, that’s a difficult job.
“Whatever it takes, we will play it. We did Vegas on the premise a date was set.
“Things have changed, which is unfortunate, but it’s been hard to have the conversation until we’re in the big dance. Now we’re in the big dance and I’ll try. It needs two people to make it happen.”
Like the Panthers, the Warriors will also feature in the Las Vegas showpiece, where the English premiers are set to take on the Warrington Wolves.
Despite their dominance in the NRL, the Panthers have never won a World Club Challenge trophy, going down to the Warriors earlier this year and St Helens in 2023, while the 2022 fixture was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Penrith made history by becoming the first side in almost 60 years to win four-straight premierships.
The Warriors also had a hugely successful season over in England, becoming the first team since 1998 to win all four major trophies, including the grand final, Challenge Cup, League Leaders’ Shield and the World Club Challenge.
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