5. World scheduling challenge We were assured mid-year that the World Club Challenge would be in Australia in February and that the previous hodge-podge organisation of the game was a thing of the post. But that announcement will be sorely tested now that Wigan and Sydney Roosters will be involved. Leeds pushed for the game to be played on these shores while big-city clubs such as Brisbane and Melbourne were the NRL teams seen as being capable of turning a profit. South Sydney were going to take the game to Perth. And the exchange rate has dropped since the decision was made. Perhaps this could be the year we get the mythical neutral venue in the Middle East or Asia. But DW Stadium, Wigan, must be firming. www.canberratimes.com.au/rugby-l ... 2v2li.html

5. World scheduling challenge We were assured mid-year that the World Club Challenge would be in Australia in February and that the previous hodge-podge organisation of the game was a thing of the post. But that announcement will be sorely tested now that Wigan and Sydney Roosters will be involved. Leeds pushed for the game to be played on these shores while big-city clubs such as Brisbane and Melbourne were the NRL teams seen as being capable of turning a profit. South Sydney were going to take the game to Perth. And the exchange rate has dropped since the decision was made. Perhaps this could be the year we get the mythical neutral venue in the Middle East or Asia. But DW Stadium, Wigan, must be firming. www.canberratimes.com.au/rugby-l ... 2v2li.html

Seems it's not far off being confirmed for Sydney, and that Wigan want to play it down there. Not that I'll be able go, I still can't wait. There is nothing like playing the Aussies on their own turf. Long overdue. m.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/r ... 6737039249

Seems it's not far off being confirmed for Sydney, and that Wigan want to play it down there. Not that I'll be able go, I still can't wait. There is nothing like playing the Aussies on their own turf. Long overdue. m.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/r ... 6737039249

We've done it before, we can do it again.

No you can't do it again.

The Sydney Roosters have a defensive system that is unheard of and unseen by a Super League club. Plus they have a dazzling assortment of attacking wizards, including especially Sonny Bill Williams, Jake Friend, James Maloney, Michael Jennings, Daniel Toupou and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. Wigan, by contrast, will be without Sam Tomkins and Pat Richards. All the hopes that Wigan have for breaking the Roosters defensive line rest on one man --- Matthew Bowen.

The Sydney Roosters team has a reasonable chance of winning back to back Grand Finals for the first time in the history of the NRL. Unfortunately Wigan just doesn't have the firepower to compete with this rugby league colossus. I write these words more in sorrow than in joy, because I would like to see a more evenly matched contest.

The Roosters will be too powerful all over the Park, I don,t know how Wigan will be able to contain them. Lets hope Wigan can keep the score down and not show up the inferiority of Superleague.

I think for the roosters most of there first choice 15 are internationals playing in the world cup, its a daunting task for Wigan.

For Wigan to be a chance of winning, they'll require the following...

1) At least 3 regular season SL games under their belt in preparation.
2) The game to be played at the DW Stadium.
3) Sydney Roosters to turn up in the UK a week before or preferably less.
4) Sydney Roosters missing a number of key players.

Otherwise, it could get very embarrassing for Wigan.

This particular WCC is probably a step to far for this wigan team but what ive seen of them this season,they have every chance of taking RL in this country to a completely different level from the saint of long,sculthorpe and cunningham etc and the leeds of the last 5 yrs or so

So do Sydney Roosters have any weaknesses?

I can't tell if you're fishing, or if you genuinely believe that but Wigan have a long way to go before that standard let alone raise it

All i can say is you two are in for a rude awakening next season and onwards.
Theyv'e just won the double when they were suppose to be rubbish.They are an extreamly young squad with a fitness level unknown of at this age in english RL that will only get better,(unless lenaghan sells them off).,With the exception of st helens im struggling to see who are going to stop them next season?

I'm not doubting wigans credentials to win over the coming season(s) (though I think they have more question marks then they did this year) BUT what makes me say they are no where near the standards of the two teams you mentioned is that both of them are so far ahead of everyone else at the time in different areas and I don't see any which area where Wigan blow everybody else out of the water.

Saints in 2006 were the definition of consistency, they lost 4 games all year and never more than 4 points (aka they were 4 tries away from the perfect season).

Leeds over the last 5 season have been the ultimate play off team, for so many years you said well they can't do it again and they did, and probably matched saints in 2006 with there playoff record.

Wigan have done fantastically well to develop their own and will certainly compete but still have a way to compete against the the very best in the sl era.

As Roosters fan and a Wigan fan I cant argue with this. I am looking forward to the game and it will be great having it here in Sydney, but if the Roosters play like they can then this game is going to be a very one sided one. The Roosters defence this season has been incredible. 6 NRL teams including Manly have failed to score against them this season.

I really want it to be a close game but I just can't see it. Regardless though, it will be a fantastic trip for the club and any fans who come down here.

A young hard working squad,yes.Cant see many world beaters in there though TBH and you have just sold your crown jewel and also lost a points machine in Richards.The signing of a fringe NRL forward does not cover these loses.Congrats on your double win, but im afraid hopes of a domination of SL are just a pipe dream.

If we had this years team playing the WCC I think we'd put in a decent account of ourselves but its going to be difficult minus Tomkins, Richards and Mossop to keep this game competative. We'll have either youngsters in the team like Burgess and Burke or our new 'project' signings like Sarginson and Clubb and whilst Wigan will work hard and improve them lads it will take longer then a couple of pre season games to get them up to speed.

Wigan will keep churning these young lads out and will keep improving their project signings like they have with Flower and Dudson and I'm confident we'll stay around the upper end of superleague but I think any English club is going to struggle to win a WCC going forward unless things change.