Rugby League bosses admitted on Monday the World Club Challenge could be held in Asia in the future. Manly became the first Australian winners of the annual global clash of the champions for six years when they beat Leeds Rhinos 28-20 at Elland Road on Sunday.
The match was held in England for the 10th successive year but there are calls for a neutral venue, including Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong, while Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington has put forward a proposal to expand the competition.
Hetherington’s plan is for the top three clubs from both Super League and the NRL to contest the event and the Rugby Football League are willing to consider that possibility.
“Sunday’s match was a terrific and outstanding success. International football delivers a profile that domestic football doesn’t and we have got to weigh up the balance,” RFL chief executive Nigel Wood said.
“All things are possible. The middle east or far east are options but as yet no-one has come to the table with a package that would enable us to take the proposal to the next level.
“It’s appropriate to have a discussion about what may or may not be possible. There are issues about the over-playing of players which we need to bear in mind.
“There is every likelihood the event will look the same next year.”
Manly’s successful coach Des Hasler, who played for the Sea Eagles in the first challenge against Wigan in 1987, has cast doubt over the viability of Australia hosting the event.
“We’d love to defend it in Sydney and I’m sure Leeds would like to come to Australia but, as a concept, I’m just not sure how it would go down there during our off-season,” he said.
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