The 2024 World Club Challenge pits Super League Grand Final winners Wigan against the NRL's three-peat champions Penrith Panthers, and as kick-off approaches at the DW Stadium, you can't help but feel that the battle between the two forward packs will be crucial to deciding the outcome of this game.
Penrith have reached four consecutive NRL Grand Finals and won the past three off the back of the go-forward of players like Isaac Yeo, Moses Leota and James Fisher-Harris, while Wigan have a fairly fearsome pack of their own featuring Liam Byrne, Tyler Dupree and Kaide Ellis.
The Warriors have gone on a massive recruitment drive this off-season too. They have secured Dupree mid-year from Salford, with the 24-year-old playing a key role in their march to Grand Final success.
The England prop has been joined by Kruise Leeming and Luke Thompson from the NRL's Titans and Bulldogs respectively, while young prospects Sam Walters, Tiaki Chan and Sam Eseh will more than bolster a formidable pack of forwards in cherry-and-white.
These big bodies will be going at it and then some come the World Club Challenge, and The Sporting News spoke to Wigan forwards both old and new ahead of Saturday's big match.
Fired-up Farrell leading his Warriors from the front
2023 was Liam Farrell's 14th year as a Warriors first-grader, but his first as captain following the retirements of Sean O'Loughlin and Thomas Leuluai in the seasons prior. With both former skippers in the coaching dugout, Farrell led Wigan to their first Super League title in five years and is relishing the prospect of lifting the World Club Challenge trophy this weekend.
On the last 12 months, Farrell said: "I just tried to treat it as a normal year for me, but for us as players to do what we set out to do at the start of pre-season, and win the Grand Final, was awesome for the town, the club and us as individuals."
Preparing for a fifth World Club Challenge in Wigan colours, Farrell knows just how tough the task is for his side to topple the all-conquering Panthers.
"They've got some exceptional talent in that team and are all internationals from 1-17. We know we're up against a very, very good team – the kind of which that's not really been seen before in terms of quality, even in the NRL," he said.
"I was fortunate enough to win a World Club Challenge back in 2017 (against the Sharks) which was a great experience. These games are on a different level and go past in the blink of an eye - they're that quick, especially at the start, and you wouldn't expect anything less from Penrith this time around with the talent they've got."
As captain and currently the club's longest-serving player, Farrell is aware that this kind of game can be a baptism of fire for the fresh faces in Wigan's squad.
"For the players making their first World Club Challenge appearance, I'd just keep it simple and say 'start fast and don't let the occasion pass you by'. But on the other hand, we've got plenty of exceptional talents in our squad too, and with the prep we've done they'll all be more than ready for it."
"That's the main thing as captain for me really, to help the new players integrate and interact with the team as quickly as possible, and build those relationships both on and off the pitch. Everyone's settled in quite well, and (head coach) Matty Peet does a great job with that side of things too, so it's up to us to show him those developments in-game."
Leeming taking NRL lessons into fresh start at Wigan
One of two English internationals signed from the NRL this off-season - but the only one who'll play in the World Club Challenge after Luke Thompson was ruled out with concussion - hooker Kruise Leeming is loving life at Wigan so far and hoping to make a big impact against the Panthers this weekend.
On his return after a one-season stint with Gold Coast Titans, Leeming said: "Being in the NRL last year wasn’t as different to Super League as I’d expected – of course it's the same sport you're playing with some little tweaks, but when you’re up against the best in the world week-to-week, you can sometimes second-guess yourself"
"My time at the Titans really helped me to figure out who I am as a player and a person, and that’s given me so much confidence to hold my own against the best teams. We’ve obviously got one of those coming up this week, and I can't wait for the challenge."
With Wigan's Super League winning-spine coming up against a Penrith side minus Jarome Luai but still stacked with talent, Leeming is confident that his new Warriors team-mates can match them both up front and out wide.
"The better the players, the easier the transition in my experience, so coming into Wigan with a world-class spine and players like Harry Smith, Bevan French and Jai Field has been really helpful for me. We can all learn from each other and will be doing throughout the season so the more we learn the better we’ll develop in those playmaking positions."
When is the 2024 World Club Challenge?
Wigan will welcome Penrith to their home ground on Saturday, February 24th, with kick-off scheduled for 8:00pm local time (7am AEDT on Sunday, February 25th).
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The visitors have lost the fixture all three times they have appeared in it to date, falling to Wigan back in 1991 along with Bradford and Saints.
The Warriors, on the other hand, have claimed the trophy on four occasions and will be attempting to win a record-equalling fifth WCC title against the side from Down Under.
How to watch Wigan vs. Penrith
The 2024 World Club Challenge will be broadcast by Fox League and 9Gem in Australia.
The match will also be available to be streamed on Kayo.
Meanwhile, in the UK, the WCC will be shown by regular rugby league broadcaster Sky Sports.
| Country | Time and date | Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | 7:00am AEDT on Sunday, February 25 | Fox League / 9Gem |
| United Kingdom | 8:00pm GMT on Saturday, February 24 | Sky Sports |
Where is the 2024 World Club Challenge?
The Penrith Panthers will be headed to the north of England where they will take on the Wigan Warriors.
The game will be held at a sold-out DW Stadium in Wigan.
