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Super League general manager Robert Elstone has suggested that major changes to the World Club Challenge's location, format and schedule could be implemented as early as next season, after conceding that the event is "undervalued and understated".
Super League champions Wigan welcome NRL winners Sydney Roosters on Sunday at the 2019 rugby league's annual meeting to determine the best club in the world, but Elstone says the concept must be future and by maximizing its potential.
The concept has been extended to the series of six world clubs in recent seasons, before returning to an independent match last year. The organization of this event in neutral territories has also been considered in recent years. Elstone, who will be talking to the NRL about the long-term future of the event, admits that nothing will be forgotten in the future.
"I think it's definitely undervalued and understated," he said. "It's the best against the best, so there must be more potential as an event. We need to badociate the Super League, the NRL and all the clubs to carry out the discussions and maximize their potential as a concept and sporting event. I think we should consider doing something for 2020. "
Elstone also suggested considering moving the event out of England and Australia, though it never took place outside of these two countries. "I think we are at the stage where we should not exclude anything," he said. "But most of all, I think we have to look at what time of year we play. Then there is the format, as well as the host … we have to take all that into account.
Photo: Chesnot / Getty Images Europe
Discussions were held on moving the match from its usual slot at the start of the season to the day after the conclusion of the national Super League and NRL seasons in October. "There could be a certain degree of logic in that," he said. "You could have it as a pathway in the international program and place it in the place where the best of the international calendar will take place.
"However, we must take into account the commercial potential and the appetite of fans for the game. If we play a big final at Old Trafford in October, is there an appetite for another game a week later? This is something we should explore. But there is no reason why the Super League and the NRL can not subscribe to it to have a suitable place in the long-term calendar. I have already had discussions with the NRL, which is willing to try to make this event a bigger and better event. "
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