The fixture will be held at the Penrith Panthers’ home ground, BlueBet Stadium, on Saturday, February 18, with the game kicking off at 7am (GMT).
Last Updated: 09/11/22 5:52 pm
Super League champions St Helens will travel to Australia to face NRL champions Penrith Panthers in the Club World Challenge
Super League champions St Helens will travel to Australia to face NRL champions Penrith Panthers for the Club World Cup.
The fixture will be held at the Penrith Panthers’ home ground, BlueBet Stadium, on Saturday, February 18, with the game kicking off at 7am (GMT).
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This is the first time the World Club Challenge has taken place since 2020 and the eighth time that St Helens have entered the calendar, with two wins bearing their name from 2001 and 2007, both against the Brisbane Broncos.
The Penrith Panthers previously appeared twice in the World Club Challenge and were defeated on both occasions, once against the Wigan Warriors in 1991 and the Bradford Bulls in 2004.
With St Helens heading to Australia in early February, their first-round match against the Huddersfield Giants has been postponed until a later day of the season.
The match will mark the first matchday of new St Helens head coach Paul Wellens and he is “enjoying the opportunity” to showcase the talent of his team.
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“Both us and Penrith have enjoyed exceptional success in recent years and we are enjoying the opportunity to come to Australia and try our hand at what is for sure a great team,” Wellens said.
“It’s disappointing for us that we haven’t been able to have this competition for the past few years, but it’s great news not only for both clubs, but for the whole game that the best teams in both competitions can once again compete in the World Club Challenge.
“We are clearly motivated to achieve further success and this gives us as a club an early opportunity to do exactly that in 2023, we aim to be a great player. represent myself, the town of St Helens and the Super League in the best way possible.”
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St Helens RFC chairman Eamonn McManus added: “The 2023 season is our club’s 150th anniversary. The only achievable achievement that we have overlooked throughout our history is posting crown Champion of the World Clubs in Australia.
“Many consider this Penrith Panthers team to be one of the best in the history of the NRL. Similarly, St Helens is experiencing a period of unparalleled success in the Super League.
“The game in Sydney will represent one of the biggest challenges St Helens has ever faced. We are really looking forward to meeting in person.”
Excitement for the game was also felt in the Panthers camp, with their chief executive Matt Cameron expressing excitement to see the fixture back on the calendar.
Cameron said: “On behalf of everyone at the Panthers, we look forward to welcoming St Helens to BlueBet Stadium in February.
“St Helens has been the benchmark team in the Super League for several years now, which will present the Panthers with a huge challenge to start the new season off.
“The World Club Challenge is an important part of the rugby schedule and it’s great to have the game back for the first time since 2020.”
