- Penrith’s Nathan Cleary watched the Super League Grand Final this weekend
- He is currently in Britain visiting his girlfriend Mary Fowler
- Cleary gave his thoughts on when the World Club Challenge could take place next year
Penrith Panthers star Nathan Cleary has given his opinion on when the World Club Challenge should be played after debates raged over the hemisphere competition in recent weeks.
The halfback is currently in Britain visiting his girlfriend and Manchester City star Mary Fowler and was at Old Trafford on Saturday evening watching Wigan Warriors beat Hull Kingston Rovers to be crowned Super League champions.
It comes a week after the halfback guided Penrith to their fourth consecutive NRL premiership title, with his side now set to face Wigan in the Club World Challenge.
Both clubs faced off in the 2024 edition of the competition, with the Warriors claiming a 16-12 victory against Penrith, who failed to win the World Club Challenge despite making four appearances in the competition.
The inter-hemisphere match usually takes place before the start of the NRL and Super League seasons in February.
Penrith star Nathan Cleary has given his verdict on when the Club World Challenge should be played
His side Penrith will take on Wigan after being crowned Super League champions
Penrith secured their fourth consecutive premiership last week, but the Panthers have never won the World Club Challenge
But with Wigan and Penrith both set to kick off their 2025 campaigns in Las Vegas next March, fears have been growing among some at Penrith over whether the team will be able to fulfill the fixture.
Penrith chief executive Brian Fletcher raised concerns about the players’ welfare, telling News Corp: ‘There is no way in the world we can fit this into the schedule. Our coaches and football department said the players couldn’t handle it.
“The amount of football they’ve played and then a World Club Challenge before we go to Vegas, it’s too much. The welfare of the players is the biggest problem.’
The Penrith director was criticized by fans online for his comments, with some calling his side ‘pathetic’.
But amid concerns players could struggle with the early season crowds, Cleary agrees with an NRL commentator on when the World Club Challenge could be rescheduled.
Andrew Voss declared the game should be moved to be played during the NRL’s magic round, and it appears Cleary is a fan.
Cleary believes the game should be played during the NRL’s Magic Round in 2025
Andrew Voss has also suggested that the match could be played during Magic Round
Cleary posted a video of Wigan’s grand final celebrations to his Instagram Story on Monday and praised the Super League side before giving his views on the World Club Challenge.
‘Congratulations to Wigan on another win!’ Cleary wrote. “They’re a great team.”
‘I would love to be able to play the World Club Challenge during the Magic Round next year. I understand that the logistics of getting the game going would be difficult, but I think it would be a great spectacle.”
The NRL’s Magic Round took place in May this year, while the Super League’s Magic Round took place later in August. Theoretically both could be played at the same time, with both Wigan and Penrith taking a bye for the round.
Cleary’s comments come after broadcaster Voss outlined how the World Club Challenge could fit into the schedule for the Magic round.
“Can we go to the UK Super League and say, ‘Look, for next year, Magic Round, Penrith is saying goodbye. We’re going to say goodbye to Penrith,’” Voss said on SEN Breakfast with Vossy & Brandy.
It comes after Panthers chief executive Brian Fletcher raised concerns about when the World Club Challenge should be played, citing player welfare
‘We’re making the World Club Challenge the main game on Saturday evening.’
Penrith will also see a host of their key players team up with the respective national teams for this summer’s Pacific Championships. Dylan Edwards, Lindsay Smith, Isaah Yeo and Clive Churchill medalist Liam Martin were all called up to Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos squad.
Meanwhile, Paul Alamoti will join Tonga, while James Fisher-Harris, Casey McLean, Scott Sorensen and Trent Toeleau have all been included in the Kiwi’s squad.