What’s The Buzz: World Club Challenge off again; Cleary snr could follow son’s tattoo move

The Roosters will remain world champions for another 12 months after the current Covid outbreak robbed the Panthers of the chance to succeed them.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 03: The Panthers celebrate with the NRL Premiership Trophy after victory in the 2021 NRL Grand Final match between the Penrith Panthers and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium on October 03, 2021, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

The World Club Challenge has officially been cancelled, with Panthers coach Ivan Cleary revealing his champion side will not be taking on English Super League premiers St Helens.

In a blow for international rugby league with Covid set to see the WCC cancelled for the second year in a row, Cleary said the Omicron outbreak had forced both Penrith and St Helens to snub the world champion club rugby league determining clash.

“It definitely isn’t happening,” Cleary said.

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Kings of the NRL but the world will prove elusive for the Panthers.

“The decision has been made and unfortunately it just wasn’t possible with everything that is going on now.”

St Helens had remained hopeful of taking part in the clash and made an offer to travel to Australia as recently as December.

But Cleary revealed that talks between Penrith and St Helens finished following the recent outbreak of the Omicron variant.

“It is a shame because I have always thought it would be pretty cool to contest it and be a part of it,” Cleary said.

“But it is just too difficult to arrange such an event with the way the world is. It is just not possible with the way the world is right now.”

The cancellation of this year’s contest will see the Roosters remain the reigning WCC champions.

The 2020 Roosters will remain the WCC champions for at least another 12 months.

Trent Robinson’s team beat St Helens in the last WCC clash, which was held in the UK in 2020.

Organisers are hopeful that the WWC will resume next year – although no guarantees can be given with the world still in the midst of a global pandemic.

TATTS LOOKING GOOD, SON!

Ivan Cleary has revealed that he may follow in the footsteps of son Nathan by getting his very own premiership-winning tattoo.

“It won’t be as big as his, though,” said Ivan, referring to the gigantic Panther Nathan had inked across his torso.

“He certainly went all in, especially considering it was his first tattoo.”

Ivan, a clean skin, admitted both he and his wife were shocked when Nathan lifted up his shirt to reveal the tattoo that became a social media sensation.

“I don’t mind it,” Ivan said.

“And his Mum likes it, too. But yeah it was a bit of a shock at first because we didn’t know anything about it until he showed it to us.

Nathan Cleary and his tattoo.

Dad was impressed by the ink./

“There are a few opinions about it but I think it is cool. The tattooist did an awesome job with all the detail, but for me, I like it because it shows how proud Nathan is about his club, his teammates and what they were able to achieve.”

Ivan admitted he might even get one of his own – albeit something not as big.

“I won’t get the matching one, but I haven’t ruled out getting one,” Cleary said.

“I am a cleanskin so it would have to be a little smaller if I got one. I just love the fact that the boys are so proud of the club and what they have achieved.

“For them to get the ink, well it just shows how proud they are of what we achieved as a group. It is a great tradition in our game and who knows, I may follow. I guess I am in the halfway house at the moment. The longer it goes the less likely it is that it will happen, but I am not ruling it out.”

Originally published as What’s The Buzz: World Club Challenge off again; Cleary snr could follow son’s tattoo move