According to reports today, Melbourne are happy to come to the UK to play it if they win the NRL GF, but Penrith, due to their Vegas commitments, would only want to play it in Australia.

This means if us or Wigan win the SL GF and Melbourne win the NRL GF then it would probably be played over here on the Saturday before Vegas, with us and Wigan then flying out on the Sunday. If Penrith win the NRL GF and Hull KR or Leigh win the SL GF then they'll be given the opportunity to go and play it in Australia, presumably on that same weekend.

If it's Melbourne and either KR or Leigh then there's no Vegas issues for anyone and they can arrange whatever best suits all involved.


However, if it's Penrith V us or Wigan then there's a realistic possibility of it not happening at all as Penrith won't travel to the UK when they already have Vegas to commit to, and neither us nor Wigan are likely to go to Australia for the same reason.

I've always been supportive of the Vegas concept and our participation in it, even though I'm not going, because I think it's a great bit of exposure and raises our profile, but it would be really sad if the WCC becomes a casualty of it, either denying Wigan the chance to defend their title against the same opposition, Penrith the chance to win it back after successive defeats, or us the chance to play in it for the first time. Vegas won't look so good in my view if that comes to fruition.