In the seasons where it is expanded, t's going to mean starting the SL season just after Christmas to fit everything in.

Given that the previous year's rep fixtures will only have finished in early November, it's going to mean some players having virtually no off-season and playing year-round rugby.

I would hope 1eagu3 would have something to say about that.

It will be next year one match in Aus, the year after 3rd v 3rd, 2nd v 2nd, 1st v 1st Friday/Saturday/Sunday in the UK, the year after one match in Aus, etc etc.

I think an expansion of the WCC is in principle very worth while and very important for the game. Not keen on that structure at all. It could be done so much better.

The fact its always biased to the English Clubs will shut down any Australian fans that may have an open mind.
One in Aus three in Uk one in Aus three in Uk, it just perpetuates the concept its a English Vehicle that Aussies reject as biased.
What is in it for the Aussie Clubs and will the fans be interested in an expanded concept when they do not care about the current situation?
Fans = TV ratings or Gates and Sponsors, if only one side of the deal is motivated its got no chance IMO.

£££££

The three game series will be held in the UK. I assume they expect that we would see three sell outs, on three consecutive days. It can be packaged and sold to the highest bidder for TV rights and sponsorship. I would expect that there would be a fairly large market in this country for it. There is real possibility for about 80k+ tickets sold for these three games which adds up to a pretty sizeable sum. Then you have a world championship series to sell to TV companies and sponsors. I can see that being a fairly easy sell. I don’t think it would be overly ambitious to earn £1.5m-£2M at least revenue for that series.

When it comes to OZ, They have only one game to sell, limits any potential loss if it isn’t a success over there. I assume that the theory behind it being that if over 5 or 6 years we see some good match ups, and some SL wins, the idea will build down under and the concept would be expanded again.

Why would Oz Clubs want to play in England when all that matters to them is the NRL?
Money is unlikely to be an issue as the game in Oz is awash with it at the moment.
Its a need by the English Clubs as a cashcow and promotional game.
Its holds little or nothing for the Oz Clubs.
Until the English Clubs and the Test team get on a level playing field with where Oz are I doubt the idea will work or even be implemented.

I don’t think any club would turn away money and exposure.

The Ockers not caring about the WCC has more made of it by SL fanboys than NRL fans or clubs. Whilst it isn’t prioritised over the NRL (and nor is it in SL) it is still something they would want to win.

I think it is something they would rather win than lose but not a high priority in the scope of things.
I look at Oz sites and its barely mentioned.

Its one game, played at the beginning of the year, at an ungodly time, in a freezing cold country whilst they are baking in sunshine, tens of thousands of miles away. Im not surprised that they don’t have a huge affiliation with it. That’s needs to be built.

I don’t think intrinsically Oz fans have an issue with or would reject international competition, it just isn’t relevant to them right now.

Can't see what's wrong with the one game like it is now.
Happy for it to be in Oz if needed.

Why is it always glass half empty for some fans? Anything to raise the international profile of the game will surely be a great thing. Who wouldn't want to see their team up against some of the biggest stars in the NRL? It could be good for our teams and youngsters in terms of experience on the big stage and pressure situations too...

Yes, but, assuming the comp will end in a final of some sort the big danger is that BOTH finalists will be Aussie clubs.

Happens in the champions league...when they're not champions!

Right now, I think it's a very dangerous concept. One of the main reasons for having the World Club Championship in this country, is that the English side has the advantage of home territory. That is a 20 swing in the scoreline that I doubt any English team would recover from.

If it's played in Australia I doubt we'd even see a respectible scoreline if the Aussies took it seriously. I know for certain as a Saints fan, that if we played in this competition in Australia, I'd hide behind the sofa rather than be excited by it. We'd lose by 50+ and I'd put the house, the bicycle and the swimming pool on that.

What perspective do you want to look at it from? From a UK perspective, a SL perspective, this might be first on the agenda.

As far as Aussies and Kiwis go I think the proposed NRL Nines competition in Auckland with a huge cash incentive will come about first, if either are to.

if you want to raise the profile of Rugby league then have a meaningful international programme with propers tours that pits the best against each other.
Not a Single World Club game and 2 warm up acts that precede it that have nothing at stake. I for one wouldn't pay to watch 2nd v 2nd or 3rd v 3rd, what the hell are they playing for..???