World Club Series Announced

[Unbreakable]

http://www.broncos.com.au/news/2016/10/24/world_club_series_an.html

The Rugby Football League (RLF), in partnership with the UK's Super League, the National Rugby League (NRL) and the Cronulla Sharks, have announced the details of the 2017 Dacia World Club Series.

2016 NRL Premiers the Cronulla Sharks will take on Super League Champions the Wigan Warriors, while League Leaders Shield winners the Warrington Wolves will host six-time NRL Premiership winners the Brisbane Broncos in the two game series next February.

The weekend's action will kick off on Saturday 18 February, as the Wolves host the Brisbane Broncos at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington.

The Dacia World Club Challenge will then follow on Sunday 19 February, as the Wigan Warriors host the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at the DW Stadium.

Sharks coach Shane Flanagan said he and the Sharks are excited about the chance to challenge for the title of 'World Champions' in the Series.

"To have the chance to play over in the UK, for a World Club Championship, is a great opportunity and one that our club is really looking forward to," Flanagan said.

"Then add to that the challenge of playing Wigan, one of the strongest and most famous clubs in the Super League, and it will definitely be an outstanding experience."

After downing the Warrington Wolves 12 points to 6 in the 2016 Super League decider, Wigan Warriors coach Shaun Wane was quick to praise the Sharks when speaking of the upcoming World Club Series.

"We are excited to welcome the Cronulla Sharks to the DW Stadium in February. They are a quality side who have shown, that when under pressure, they can come up with their very best rugby league," Wane said.

"Playing against the very best that the NRL has to offer will offer this squad a big test, but it is one I am confident they will rise to.

"We came very close to beating the Brisbane Broncos two years ago and the squad are very motivated to do well against Cronulla and hopefully win the World Club Challenge for the fourth time ever next year."

2017 WORLD CLUB SERIES:

Sunday 19 February, 6am QLD Time: Warrington Wolves v Brisbane Broncos (Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington)

Monday 20 February 1am QLD Time: Wigan Warriors v Cronulla Sharks (DW Stadium, Wigan)

 

[Mitch06]

From a player's perspective I personally wouldn't mind going overseas to play, however, I do think it is quite disruptive considering the 9s are in the same month. Hopefully, Wayne knows what he is doing. It's usually not a bad game to watch either.

 

[Broncoman]

I find it hard to get excited about this game as the English clubs are so far below our standard it's barely a contest.

 

[mcsweeney89]

Agreed

 

[lynx000]

Any opportunity to watch the Broncos is a good one for me. :-)

 

[Rally Towel]

I find it hard to get excited about this game as the English clubs are so far below our standard it's barely a contest.

I just think of it like a televised trial. Opportunity to whet the appetite, get a gauge on how we're shaping up pre season.

Don't like to take too much false confidence away from it, but a win always warms the heart too.

 

[sus]

bit cheeky of WB..

self serving from the uk head coach point of view, but undoubtedly gives our intl fan exposure a bump no end which the bottom line will notice for sure, plus an opportunity to entice any ESL potentials with the lure up close and personal

but no doubt the best part is robbing the nrl of the chance of yielding to scum like the storm by bumping up the payment offer

as long as they manage the travel and player welfare etc, everything else is a positive

big ups 'waynos'