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Gisborne: Planned outages Tue-WedHave we seen the end of the World Club Challenge?
Charles Goodsir ⢠ October 13th, 2025 12:25 pm
SENâs Corey Parker is unbothered as to whether the World Club Challenge is held in 2026.
The World Club Challenge began in 1976 but became an annual fixture in the year 2000 between the NRL and Super League Champions. The concept has lost its shine in recent years after the 2021 and 2022 iterations were cancelled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Due to the cramped domestic and international schedule, the Penrith Panthers pulled out of the 2025 World Club Challenge where they were set to face the Wigan Warriors.
In 2026, the Brisbane Broncos are slated to take on Hull KR following their Super League Grand Final win but Parker isnât sold on what he describes as a âtrial game.â
âThe World Club Challenge has always been a good thing,â Parker said on SENQ Breakfast.
âI only played in one World Club Challenge and back then, they had a World Club series.
âThe Broncos went over and we didnât win the competition that year. Three other NRL teams also went over.
âItâs a concept that really is more for the spectators because what do you get out of it?
âI just donât really know who it benefits.
âIn 2024, it was played in Penrith and it was Round 3 of the Super Leagueâs season.
âThe Super League has already kicked off at this point and for us in the NRL, itâs our first game of the season.
âMaybe they can organise both teams going to Las Vegas and kick off the season in Vegas. Thereâs a thought.
âIf youâre the Broncos though, itâs just a trial match. I get that itâs the World Club Challenge but it wonât be the same Broncos team.
âThe same players wont be there. Thatâs just a fact. I donât know who gets what and what the upside for having it is.
âItâs probably just for bragging rights I suppose.â
The last Australian side to win the World Club Challenge was the Sydney Roosters in 2020 when they downed St Helens 20-12.
Hull KR coach Willie Peters has already expressed his desire for his side to take on the Broncos but an upcoming Ashes Tour and Pacific Championship has complicated matters.
