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The official announcement of the WCC fixture is expected later this week. It will mark just the third WCC clash in six years; Penrith was unable to participate last year due to Vegas commitments, while the 2020 (Storm and St Helens) and 2021 (Penrith and St Helens) clashes were cancelled due to Covid-19. It raised concerns that the concept, first played in 1976, could be dying a slow death due to the logistical challenges of pitting the best teams from each hemisphere against each other. However, the latest match-up is made possible due to Brisbane’s willingness to travel to the UK as part of their preparations for their title defence. Broncos coach Michael Maguire gave a hint the club was keen on the concept after the epic grand final win over Melbourne, telling reporters it was a match of interest if schedules permitted. It will be the third time Maguire has coached in a WCC after being at the helm of Wigan in 2012 (lost to St George Illawarra) and South Sydney in 2015 (beat St Helens).
