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We\u2019re about to find out on Friday morning when the Broncos and Hull KR clash at 6.30am AEDT, with all the action live and ad-break free during play on Fox League and Kayo Sports.<\/p>\n
In the meantime, read on for the World Club Challenge Talking Points. <\/p>\n
BRONCOS OUT TO BREAK PRE-COVID STREAK… AND OWN HORROR RECORD<\/p>\n
The Broncos will be heavily favoured against Hull KR on Friday morning (AEDT) but to win, they will have to overcome a bit of an Aussie drought.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s been six years since an Australian team has been successful in a World Club Challenge match.<\/p>\n
The date was February 22, 2020 when the 2019 NRL grand final winning Roosters travelled to Merseyside and defeated St. Helens 20-12.<\/p>\n
Since then, no luck.<\/p>\n
Just a couple of weeks later, the Covid-19 pandemic would shut the world down and the fixture suffered as a result. <\/p>\n
Because of the pandemic, the 2021 (Storm v St. Helens) and 2022 (Panthers v St. Helens) fixtures were cancelled.<\/p>\n
MORE NRL NEWS<\/p>\n
\u2018I\u2019M 100 PER CENT\u2019: Enforcer declares State of Origin allegiance after QLD reveal<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018WRITTEN US OFF\u2019: Shock Broncos boilover… and a teenage SBW\u2019s scary statement<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018GENUINELY COMMITTED\u2019: QRL caveat on Origin eligibility; Johns backs changes<\/a><\/p>\n The Broncos lost their last World Club Challenge in 2007 and haven\u2019t won one in 34 years.Source: News Limited<\/p>\n St. Helens defeated Penrith in a 2023 nailbiter and Penrith lost again the following year, this time to Wigan. <\/p>\n The 2025 fixture was cancelled due to a Panthers scheduling conflict with the Las Vegas season opener. <\/p>\n Brisbane meanwhile, haven\u2019t won the showcase match in 34 years. Since then, they\u2019ve tried and failed three times. <\/p>\n Two of those losses were in England with Broncos legend Petero Civoniceva believing the differing conditions makes the visiting team\u2019s job tough, even if its against inferior opposition.<\/p>\n \u201cI think definitely the weather is a huge factor,\u201d Civoniceva told NRL.com.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s such a climate shock for all of us. We\u2019ve had a hot pre-season and then all of a sudden you go out over there to the cold, but no doubt, they\u2019ve spoken about that, they\u2019ll address that.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s going to be a huge challenge, no doubt, but I think Madge and the boys have been working really hard.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was wonderful to win the premiership, but to do one better….We weren\u2019t fortunate enough to do that in 2007, but I know this current squad are primed and ready to go.\u201d<\/p>\n Get all the latest news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports NRL Sportmail. Sign up now!!! <\/a><\/p>\n Utai in a serious but stable condition | 02:01<\/p>\n PETERS IS NRL\u2019S NEXT BIG THING \u2014 AND HIS STOCKS WILL RISE WITH WCC TRIUMPH<\/p>\n It\u2019s safe to say that Willie Peters is on the radar of a number of NRL teams.<\/p>\n Since taking over as Hull KR coach in 2023, Peters has taken the Super League by storm, leading the Robins to a rare treble (Super League Grand Final, League Leaders\u2019 Shield, Challenge Cup) in 2025. <\/p>\n The interest in Peters will only increase if he\u2019s able to lead Hull KR to a massive upset over the Broncos in Friday morning\u2019s World Club Challenge.<\/p>\n When it comes to star power, Brisbane easily outmatch the Robins, so for Peters\u2019 men to win, he\u2019s going to have to out-coach two-time premiership winner Michael Maguire.<\/p>\n Peters turned down a chance to interview at the Knights last year, wanting to instead focus on the task at hand at the Robins.<\/p>\n However, the Australian has publicly confirmed a NRL gig is a future goal of his. <\/p>\n Fox League\u2019s Braith Anasta, who is Peters\u2019 agent, says the interest in alive and well.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had a few approaches this year but I said to him, you don\u2019t want to be the coach that puts your hat in the ring for every job. You want to be the coach who is sought after so go and win the treble and the world is your oyster,\u201d Anasta said on Triple M. <\/p>\n Anasta continued that while Peters is keen on an NRL job at some point, he wants to make sure it\u2019s the right one for him.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s done the process and the hard work, he is contracted still, but there\u2019s no doubt that if the right job came up here then he\u2019s ready.<\/p>\n \u201cI reckon within the next 12 months, he\u2019ll have a few options.\u201d<\/p>\n 2026 SEASON PREVIEWS<\/p>\n EELS: Ruthless roster calls sent a clear message… now revolution faces its biggest test<\/a><\/p>\n TITANS: Big roster question for new coach… and $12m mistake he can\u2019t afford to make<\/a><\/p>\n STORM: \u2018Real genius\u2019 behind Bellamy… and weakness that could bring Storm undone<\/a><\/p>\n Willie Peters led Hull KR to a the Super League title.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n There are several teams who enter the season with question marks over their head coach and could be looking for someone new by the end of 2026.<\/p>\n Todd Payten (Cowboys) and Anthony Seibold (Sea Eagles) are two coaches on the hot seat. <\/p>\n \u201cYou look at the clubs and the Cowboys are going to be under pressure, Manly are going to be under pressure, Benji (Marshall) probably starts the season under pressure at the Tigers,\u201d Anasta said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like to think, and not that I\u2019m hoping these teams or coaches fail, but I believe he will have a number of opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n Watch the 2026 World Club Challenge LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n AFB EXCITED for new Origin Eligibility | 02:54<\/p>\n WALSH OUT TO PROVE HE IS THE \u2018BEST PLAYER IN THE WORLD\u2019<\/p>\n Reece Walsh announced himself as one of the best players in the world with a sparkling end to last season culminating in the Broncos\u2019 title triumph. <\/p>\n Walsh was the difference as the Broncos fought back from three finals deficits in a stunning run to a drought-braking first premiership in 19 years. <\/p>\n He backed that up with some strong displays in his debut Kangaroos series in Australia\u2019s 3-0 Ashes triumph and announced himself as a rock star in the North of England on and off the field. <\/p>\n Former Broncos assistant coach Jason Demetriou rates Walsh the best player in the world and believes Hull KR will have a huge task to keep the star fullback quiet in the World Club Challenge. <\/p>\n \u201cFor me, he is the best player in the world at the moment,\u201d Demetriou told Code Sports.<\/p>\n \u201cReece is just unbelievable. I can see why my daughters love him when he comes on the TV.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is just class. He just glides across the ground with a couple of little touches.\u201d <\/p>\n Reece Walsh can light up the World Club Challenge for the Broncos.Source: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n Walsh\u2019s speed and ability to seize the big moments makes him a nightmare for opposition defences. <\/p>\n \u201cDefensively even if you are not doing too much wrong, if you are half a step off and \u2013 boom \u2013 it\u2019s all over,\u201d Demetriou said.<\/p>\n \u201cReece either burns you with his speed or gets you with his class.<\/p>\n \u201cThe impact he can have on the NRL over a long period of time in the future is scary given how young he is (aged 23).\u201d <\/p>\n Walsh finished last NRL season with the most try assist with 26, two more than the next best Scott Drinkwater (24), while he also had the most linebreaks (34) ahead of Nicho Hynes (31).<\/p>\n He also had 12 tries, eight linebreaks and 79 tackle busts, with an average of 4.39 a game showing just how hard he is to handle with ball in hand. <\/p>\n And proving he can hurt you in so many different ways, Walsh also had the most 40\/20 kicks in the NRL with five, two more than teammate Adam Reynolds with three. <\/p>\n The fact that Walsh has still only scratched the surface of his potential and has already won a Clive Churchill Medal at his age is a bad omen for Hull KR heading into the World Club Challenge. <\/p>\n Get all the latest news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports NRL Sportmail. Sign up now!!! <\/a><\/p>\n Thompson sidelined for months with tear | 00:25<\/p>\n \u2018LIKE A GRAND FINAL\u2019: NO CHANCE OF COMPLACENCY FROM BRONCOS<\/p>\n Injured Broncos star Billy Walters won\u2019t play in the World Club Challenge, but he knows Michael Maguire is giving the game the same respect as the Grand Final. <\/p>\n The Broncos stunned the NRL world by agreeing to play the World Club Challenge just two weeks before they kick off their 2026 premiership defence in a brave call that may have saved the future of the concept. <\/p>\n Walters told foxsports.com.au that the Broncos are not over in the UK for a holiday and want to be known as world champions and build on their success heading into a new NRL campaign. <\/p>\n \u201cThe boys are excited. They are going over there to do a job,\u201d Walters told foxsports.com.au. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not just a free holiday for them, they want to rip in and I know they are excited to try and build on the legacy we want to build and winning a World Club Challenge is included in that.\u201d <\/p>\n Walters revealed the Broncos have added motivation after the NRL\u2019s lack of success in the World Club Challenge in recent times. <\/p>\n \u201cUnfortunately, England have had the wood on Australia the last few years but Kotoni (Staggs), Walshy (Reece Walsh) and Patty Carrigan are pretty excited to get back over there and remind them they won the Ashes 3-0,\u201d Walters said. <\/p>\n Watch the 2026 World Club Challenge LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n Billy Walters says the Broncos are treating the WCC like a Grand Final.Source: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n Maguire wants the Broncos to pick up where they left off in the Grand Final and send a message to the NRL that they mean business in their title defence. <\/p>\n \u201cMadge is treating it like another grand final to be honest,\u201d Walters said. <\/p>\n \u201cI know it\u2019s the team\u2019s first game back, so there might be a few cobwebs but he really wants to build on the legacy.<\/p>\n \u201cHe wants to make sure it isn\u2019t just a trial game or a holiday and it\u2019s not one of those games where if we lose we make excuses. <\/p>\n \u201cHe wants to go over there and do a job and make all our members proud.\u201d<\/p>\n Ex NRL star shot in drive-by shooting | 03:44<\/p>\n STAR\u2019S SHOT AT REDEMPTION AFTER \u2018LETTING TEAMMATES DOWN\u2019<\/p>\n Hull KR star Mikey Lewis will have a chance to redeem himself after he avoided a ban for a blatant trip, meaning he is free to play in Friday\u2019s World Club Challenge.<\/p>\n Lewis was charged by the match review panel after he was sin-binned for a trip on York\u2019s Liam Harris during Hull KR\u2019s defeat to the Knights in Super League opener.<\/p>\n Head coach Willie Peters said after the game that Lewis \u201clet his teammates down\u201d, with the reigning Super League champions going on to suffer a shock loss to open their title defence.<\/p>\n Mikey Lewis escaped suspension.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n \u201cWhat Mikey did, he let his teammates down and he needs to learn from it. You\u2019ll have to ask him (what he was thinking), but he\u2019s got to learn from that,\u201d Peters said on Sky Sports.<\/p>\n \u201cWhatever it (the punishment) is, it is. I\u2019m not exactly sure what the ruling is. You make your bed, you\u2019ve got to lie in it.\u201d<\/p>\n In the end, there wasn\u2019t any punishment with Lewis free to play in a huge boost to Hull KR, and you can guarantee he will want to make up for the brain fade.<\/p>\n Lewis is a world-class playmaker, having won the Man of Steel award in 2024 while in the lead-up to last year\u2019s Super League grand final he was urged by his coach to replicate Reece Walsh\u2019s heroics against Melbourne. <\/p>\n Peters said in the aftermath of that game that the win over St Helen\u2019s was \u201cthe making of Mikey Lewis\u201d. <\/p>\n \u201cBut he wants to chase greatness. This is the start of that,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Winning Friday\u2019s World Club Challenge game and upstaging Walsh would only further accelerate that pursuit of greatness.<\/p>\n Get all the latest news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports NRL Sportmail. Sign up now!!! <\/a><\/p>\n Doueihi ready to start as Tigers’ halves | 01:05<\/p>\n RULES IN THE SPOTLIGHT… AND A CAUTIONARY PANTHERS TALE<\/p>\n With the NRL introducing several rule variations this year, there has been confusion over what laws would be enforced in the World Club Challenge. <\/p>\n But Michael Maguire revealed to NRL.com<\/a> that the new NRL rules won\u2019t apply to the World Club Challenge fixture. <\/p>\n