Why would anyone spend all that money for what on the face of it appears to be a meaningless contest - if it happens the weekend it will happen is known.

Melbourne and NZ Warriors playing a friendly on 17th February 2018. So things just got interesting with this.

Have Castleford got a game confirmed/lined up?

Looking more likely its not then. Shame.

Agreed. Melbourne clearly don’t want to play this game.

Steve Mascord confirming via twitter that the Storm will split their squad to play both fixtures that weekend.

Which shows they don't give a hoot about the concept. If winning the WCC meant anything to them they would be playing all their first 17 against us and state winning it a priority. If they play a virtual second string we are going all the way over there during our season for a game that has already been belittled and snubbed in a big way. if we win we beat their reserves in a virtual pre season trial for them, lose and we are laughed at for being beaten under those circumstances.

I wish we would just blow it off this year and concentrate on getting a good start in SL.

I don't think Bellamy C.Smith & co will take it that lightly & i expect at the very least 80%+ of their regulars & all their top stars will plsy against us injury permitting.
I think they'll use the NZW fixture to get minutes into fringe players & jnrs tbh.

Leeds' response on twitter when a fan was having a go at them for not announcing the fixture.

"as when we have hosted, the host clubs are in charge of arrangements along with both governing bodies, we are still awaiting confirmation from all three, once fixture has been confirmed we will announce asap"

We should send the kids over to play.
It'd be hilarious, watching the Aussie media go into meltdown over our lack of respect for the game.

I wish we would just blow it off this year and concentrate on getting a good start in SL.'"

yes It seems to hamper the start to the season season for whoever is involved

It would be hilarious if we did and actually won
One of my most memorable SL games was when we put the kids out against Cas because we had numerous players playing for England and beat them 18-12 in 2008

I remember 2003 when we did the same thing against the same side - not much laughing going on that night