This article first appeared in League Express. Read it first every Monday by purchasing League Express in stores, or if you can’t wait that long, get the online edition on a Sunday evening at totalrl.com/shop
Warrington Wolves coach Tony Smith has said his side will relish every second of playing in next year’s World Club Series and he says he believes the expanded competition still has a future.
The Wolves will take on Brisbane next year as part of a reduced series, with the competition going from six teams and three games to just two matches.
Smith told League Express that the Wolves will be doing their best to do British Rugby League proud, while aiming to get the first win for Super League in the series.
“We’re excited about taking part,” he said.
“Not every team gets to play against the Australians, so we’re delighted that we’ve earned the right to be there.
“We’ve been keen to participate in this series again, having been in it in the past; we’d like to be in the major game of course, but we’ll give a good account of ourselves and we’ll do the best we can to represent Super League in a positive manner in 2017.”
The format has attracted criticism of late, but Smith says he wants to see it continue.
“I think it has a future as a series,” he said.
“It’s still in its infancy and we’d like to think it could be a strong competition.
“It’s another way of exposing our players to good competition, which will, in turn, help the international scene.
“Playing Australian sides can only be a good thing for us, and it will strengthen us as a club by playing one of the biggest teams in the world.
“There’s no greater challenge than playing a side like Brisbane – it will be a real honour and a challenge we’re all relishing.”
