It is a waste of time, and how can it be taken seriously when the 11th and 8th place NRL team are coming over. If Wigan or Warrington win, then so what? If they lose, it shows they cant beat a mid table NRlL team. I am a Wigan fan but I probably wont even bother watching it. Considering all but 3 of the WCC have been played in England, its not much to brag about that the English sides have more wins. I do think all 3 NRL teams will be taking it seriously and they should be competitive. Although if the Bunnies turn up wanting the win I cant see Saints living with them for long.

The last Four Nations was fantastic and im hoping they build on that for the next World Cup here. But this World Club Series hardly builds on any International progress.

It's an England vs Aussie game, there's no such thing as a friendly or a waste of time!

Typical formulaic Aussie-centric article. It makes some valid points about why people outside the fans of the teams concerned should be bothered but I think they could be addressed by actually marketing the games.

The bits going on about how superior the NRL is are a bit overblown and to be honest I think many NRL fans actually do see the bigger picture – it’s just the lazy journos that peddle this line that there’s nothing beyond the NRL and Origin. The 4 nations was a huge success with NRL fans and given time some sort of a world club comp could be too.

The game over here struggles to get coverage so this sort of comp with its international element should help address that. The last WCC was a shambles because of the gulf in standards back then. There is still a gap but by keeping the invitation to the best clubs over here that should balance things out. I’m happy for any other NRL clubs to take part as well as the premiers. If it takes off then credibility will demand that others take part – especially if there’s money in it.

Agree with that Bullseye. I also think the problem with the last WCC comp was that every club was included. I think it needs to be our version of the Champions League where you have to qualify for it. I'd start it off as 3 clubs each from SL & NRL and then slowly expand it over the years to maybe top 6.
Like you say we struggled to compete back then, I reckon we've got 5/6 clubs who could put up a fight v NRL clubs now.

Yes, I fully agree with Bullseye's positive thinking there. And indeed, although the Superleague may not provide any Shaun Edwards's these days, days, nevertheless I think the Superleague is in better health now relative to the NRL then it has been for a long time. Thurston, Cronk, Smith and Slater are all ageing. There are talented players coming through, like DCE, but this is a great time for us to stamp our mark on the international game. Sure, it would be great to see a Champions League type competition. But that's a way away yet. And the only way it could happen in the long term is if English teams start beating the Aussies a bit more often, both at club and international level. Preferably starting with the WCC and, er, the Kiwis.

Who cares what the aboriginal hating, bread stealing Ocker convicts think......