Wigan has been looking into every option to ensure that the game can proceed.
The possibility of a repeat with the Penrith Panthers has ended the Wigan Warriors’ chances of defending the World Club Challenge.
The NRL’s top team, who won their fourth straight championship last month, had been vying for another matchup with the Super League champions.
But in the end, practical problems have won out, and all potential solutions have been laid to rest for a number of reasons, despite tremendous attempts to make the game a reality.
When Brian Fletcher, the CEO of Penrith, said that the club could not play because of welfare and logistical issues resulting from their involvement in the Las Vegas weekend, the match was thrown into disarray.
That is set to happen one week after the World Club Challenge, which would have required Penrith to travel to the United Kingdom and then America on consecutive weekends.
Wigan was prepared to travel to Australia in order to try Penrith again, but the Panthers were worried about the players’ well-being because many of them would not have had the required amount of sleep stipulated in NRL contracts.
Nathan Cleary, their star halfback, then suggested that the game be played during the NRL’s Magic Round, but it was also not possible because Penrith had commercial commitments to play particular opponents that weekend.
Sources claim that since every possibility has been tried without success, there is no longer any hope that the game will take place, which is a great pity for the sport given its recent success.
Last year, Wigan sold out Brick Community Stadium after defeating Ivan Cleary’s team in an exciting match. In 2023, St Helens shocked the globe by defeating Penrith on their own pitch.
As a result, Wigan will officially continue to be the world champions for another year, and Penrith, who have never taken home the trophy in their whole history, will continue to wait.
Wigan still has a lot of travel to look forward to. As part of preparations to commemorate the French club’s 20th anniversary in the professional ranks, they are scheduled to play Catalans Dragons in Paris in 2026 in addition to playing Warrington Wolves over the weekend in Vegas.
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