Castleford coach Daryl Powell thinks it would be “awesome” to lock horns with some of the NRL’s elite sides, after it was confirmed last week that the World Club Challenge will be expanded to a six-team competition next year.
The two Super League Grand Finalists, as well as the highest-ranked team in the league ladder that goes out at the semi-finals stage, will get the opportunity to face either Brisbane, South Sydney or another NRL side – believed to be New Zealand Warriors – as part of the revamp in 2015.
After their victory over Wakefield on Sunday, the Tigers will win the Minor Premiership if St Helens lose at Huddersfield on Friday and the Tigers defeat the Catalan Dragons in Perpignan on Saturday.
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That would give them the inside running to qualify to play in the World Club Series.
And the Tigers boss says although they are refusing to think too far ahead, the prospect of facing a top Australian side would be a massive boost for the club.
“It would be great, but we won’t look too far ahead,” Powell said.
“For us it’s about giving ourselves an opportunity to play in those tournaments if they are available. It’s what we can do in the play-offs and how high we can finish, but if we can get our job done then the permutations are interesting.
“The opportunity in front of us is pretty special; the prospect of facing South Sydney or Brisbane Broncos here is awesome.”