I think Melbourne stuck [ione[/i finger up at the concept in a large part because they have played in the WCC four times so far and in every case have had to play in the UK. 2009 and 2012 they requested it in Oz and were refused.

Do your research. ANZAC Test played every year since 2004 - including this year (we won 30-12 BTW)

Leeds have a great chance, but it's a pre season warm up for the aussies. I've never been a supporter of the series or World Cup challenge, and until they are playing 2-3 weeks after the finals of the same year I won't be interested. I'd rather SL sides get tonked every year than watch us lose or win with the odds in our favour.

I'm not saying we don't have the odds stacked in our favour, we do, but some of the WCC games iv'e watched down the years look to have been taken pretty seriously to me by the OZ clubs. My club Leeds playing Melbourne a couple of times at Elland Road, and Manly for that matter twice and all those games were played at great intensity; i remember Melbourne hanging on for dear life at the end to get the win in torrential weather at ER with slater and Smith embracing with joy at the end for the win...didn't smack of them not being fussed whatsoever. Same goes for when the Saints pipped the Broncos in a classic mid 00's and the Bulls excellent wins too even Wigan playing a great game against a commited Cronulla this year.

Point is they are generally very good games, played in front of good crowds. Its not perfect and would be played straight after the GF's in an ideal world, but home advantage probably evens the contest up though TBH considering the quality of the teams on show.

It's pretty much a myth that the NRL teams don't take it seriously. Once they agree to play these games. guys come over wanting to win.

Nobody can tell me after watching these games that the players have treated it as some little warm up game.

This years was the final one.

He didn't he looked annoyed at the scummy tactics.

I thought that was TBC, skipping 2018 because of the World Cup

I would make the world club challenge an on the road fixture at a neutral ground for both clubs. Sell it as The Champion of Champions and use it to introduce League to new markets. That way you would be expressly targeting a new audience who would have the best part of a year to be sold the concept and would likely not care who was playing. Imagine selling the host city not only the rights to one game but the whole of the TV rights to NRL and SL for the season as a way of building interest.

Hong Kong or North America is the obvious answer. You have to be prepared though that the first few years could be rough. If fans and governing bodies can accept that then on the road is great.

Less travel for Australian teams also

I always think that the Japanese would be better suited to league rather than union. Smaller in stature but with incredible heart, they would need fewer South Sea Islanders in the national team.

Been mentioned that the WCC could be played on 24/25th February at AAMI Park, Melbourne

I read that 15 of the 17 who played for Melbourne in the GF are playing in the World Cup.

If we were playing this game between the GF's and World Cup how many of those 15 do you think would risk playing in a WCC that isn't that important to them and potential get injured and miss the World Cup?

If you played it straight after the GF's the Aussie teams would look nothing like the 17 who played in the GF.

Yeah a shame RL has allowed union to roll into Japan with no competition.