Hull KR's World Club Challenge options emerge with Australian adventure on the cards

Super League and NRL's best will battle it out for the World Club Challenge.
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Hull KR could be facing a trip around the world next year if they are able to secure Super League glory for the first time. Plans for the 2025 World Club Challenge are starting to emerge and Rovers could be required to travel to Australia if they prevail at Old Trafford next week.

The Robins are two victories away from a first-ever Grand Final triumph, with their semi-final against Warrington Wolves set to take place this Friday. A win this week, as well as success on the biggest stage next week, would see them qualify for the World Club Challenge, a game between the champions of Super League and the NRL.

Penrith Panthers and Melbourne Storm will battle it out to be crowned NRL premiers this weekend while Hull KR and Warrington are joined in the semi-finals by Wigan Warriors and Leigh Leopards. However, plans for next year's event can't currently be locked in due to complications relating to the Las Vegas weekend, which is scheduled just one week after the World Club Challenge.

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The game between the Super League and NRL champions is due to take place on Saturday, February 22nd, but just seven days later, Penrith, Wigan and Warrington are all due to play in Sin City. As a result, it has been deemed logistically unviable for any of those clubs to travel across the world before heading to the States.

The good news for Hull KR is that, should they win the Grand Final, the World Club Challenge will take place one way or another, though they may have to go down under to take part. Melbourne are committed to playing the game in the UK if they are victorious but if Penrith were to win a fourth consecutive title, the Robins would have to travel to Australia to play them on their own patch.

As a result, Rovers could well be facing a hectic schedule at the start of next year. They will head to Tenerife for warm-weather training in January before heading to Amsterdam, where they will take on York Knights in a pre-season friendly. A trip down under, which would take place in the second week of the Super League season, is now also a possibility.

The only scenario whereby the game doesn't take place is if two teams playing in Vegas win their respective Grand Finals, so if Penrith and one of Wigan or Warrington triumph on either side of the globe.

It would be a shame for the concept, which has captured the imagination in recent years after some epic showdowns. St Helens stunned the world when they defeated Penrith on their own patch in 2023, then Wigan beat Ivan Cleary's side earlier this year in front of a sell-out crowd.

World Club Challenge 2025 scenarios

Melbourne Storm win - Game takes place in the UK against Super League champions
Penrith Panthers & Hull KR or Leigh Leopards win - Game takes place in Australia
Penrith Panthers & Wigan Warriors or Warrington Wolves win - World Club Challenge is called off