Wigan Warriors chief Kris Radlinski open to Nathan Cleary’s World Club Challenge proposal for 2025
Wigan Warriors chief executive Kris Radlinski is open to Nathan Cleary’s World Club Challenge proposal of staging the rematch during NRL’s Magic Weekend next year.
Former Great Britain star Radlinski has not ruled out the potential of flying to Australia in the middle of the Super League season to play the match, previously stating that Wigan would do ‘whatever it takes’ to organise a fixture between the two respective champions.
NRL and Penrith Panthers superstar Cleary recently proposed that the match should take place during NRL’s Magic Weekend, with a 17-team competition meaning one outfit receives a bye round from the competition down under during the showcase weekend.
A highly-anticipated rematch appeared to have been crushed when Penrith officials said there would be ‘no way in the world’ they could fit an extra fixture into their already-packed calendar, which includes Las Vegas next March, and also citing player welfare.
Wigan Warriors will also take on Warrington Wolves at Allegiant Stadium as part of a quadruple-header in Sin City, but Radlinski is keen to explore all options for the World Club Challenge before entirely ruling it out.
Matt Peet’s Cherry and Whites defeated Penrith Panthers 16-12 earlier in February at the Brick Community Stadium to claim a record-equalling fifth title, while Penrith have never won in a World Club Challenge.
Ivan Cleary’s Panthers lifted their fourth successive NRL Premiership trophy with a 14-6 triumph over Melbourne Storm earlier this month.
Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald, Radlinski said: "We want the game to go ahead, since we've won the Grand Final, I've sent a note to the NRL and to Penrith to see what are the chances of it happening.
"I did see Nathan's comments, and if there's a way we can make this work, we'd love to play at Magic Round.
"It wouldn't be ideal for us, but you have to make choices. We played Penrith at the start of this year, and that meant we had to postpone a Super League game, and later in the season we played three games in nine days. But we got it done. The bigger picture means you're a world champion.
“There’s never an ideal time for this game. But we need to flesh out all options before we rule it out.”