England offers NRL a new club challenge

parragirl

March 20, 2008 12:00am

THREE NRL clubs are to be invited to a million-dollar Battle of the Hemispheres tournament in England next February, it has been revealed.

Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington has exclusively outlined details of the proposed series to The Daily Telegraph, saying it is now up to Australasian clubs to declare their interest.

Hetherington predicted massive gates, sponsorship and television income to be split between the six teams involved.

"We are now starting the Super League season a week early with one game so our champions can have a weekend off for the World Club Challenge," Hetherington said before flying home from a Rhinos recruitment mission which snared Danny Buderus.

"Our idea is to have three clubs bring their fixtures forward, and play three Australian teams in late February and have a Super League v NRL series.

"Manly could play St Helens on Friday night, for instance, St George Illawarra could play Wigan on Saturday night and then you could have the World Club Challenge on Sunday.

"Whichever competition won the series would have bragging rights for a year. The crowds, television audiences and publicity would be enormous."

Hetherington says he already has the backing of NRL premiers Melbourne and has held preliminary talks with League CEO David Gallop and his RFL counterpart, Richard Lewis.

The plan does not interfere with any existing fixtures as it is all played on one weekend during the NRL pre-season.

"I know in 1997 the extended World Club Challenge did not go well but we have a competition in England now that is beginning to rival the NRL," he said.

"It is now up to the clubs in Australia to indicate their interest. Looking at the way Melbourne played on Monday, I don't think you could say coming to England hindered them in any way."

http://www.news.com.au/dailyteleg.../0,26799,23405232-5012654,00.html

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