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Leeds Rhinos Jamie Peacock, right, and Ryan Bailey, left, tackle Melbourne Storm's Anthony Quinn during their World Club Challenge Rugby League match at Elland Road Stadium, Leeds, England, Friday Feb. 29, 2008. AP Photo/Paul Thomas
After attending the last two World Club Challenges in Leeds, and after seeing the Rhinos take their third consecutive title at Old Trafford on Saturday night, I’ve decided its time to start the campaign to take the fixture to the southern hemisphere.
It’s not that I don’t enjoy a few Yorkshire ales, but rather, that it’s time to take the first step forward and take the match to the next level by playing it in Australia.
Now, that’s not meant to be a cheap shot at English rugby league. If anything, the English are to be applauded for sticking with the concept and allowing it to build its foundations.
However, the detractors will point to the fact that the match is played on English soil at a time that suits the English and therefore doesn’t have a true legitimacy as it attempts to find the best team in the world.
So taking the game to Australia next year, and then on alternate years, could help boost the prestige of the event.
Also in its favour is the fact that it would be held in Melbourne.
Melbourne is without doubt the sporting ‘event’ capital of Australia. While their population still seems lukewarm about attending the Storm’s matches week in, week out, they have shown an appetite to turn up for Test matches and Origins.
Well, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.
I’d argue the novelty of the event might attract a few more first timers, rather than just fronting up to watch the Storm take on the Tigers or Rabbitohs.
The new found strength of the Australia dollar relative to the British pound also means the shift makes more economic sense.
The Rhinos have shown themselves to be bold in their efforts to spread themselves around the world.
They famously played a trial match against the Rabbitohs in Florida and their CEO Gary Hetherington has previously talked about taking the game to Australia or Dubai.
So there should be some willingness there from the current hosts.
It will take some negotiating, but I’d argue it will make a nice addition to Melbourne’s sporting calendar next year.
I would be happy to trade in my pint of John Smith’s at a bar at the Corn Exchange for a cappuccino at a café on Lygon Street.
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