Video - Lure of World Club Series enhances appeal of Super League’s Shield

Leeds Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington feels winning the League Leaders’ Shield is now finally gaining the respect it deserves following a number of welcome changes.
By Dave Craven
Published 30th Jul 2015, 09:08 BST
EYE ON THE PRIZE: South Sydney Rabbitohs' Tom Burgess (left) and George Burgess pose with the World Club Series trophy after winning at St Helens in February this year.EYE ON THE PRIZE: South Sydney Rabbitohs' Tom Burgess (left) and George Burgess pose with the World Club Series trophy after winning at St Helens in February this year.
EYE ON THE PRIZE: South Sydney Rabbitohs' Tom Burgess (left) and George Burgess pose with the World Club Series trophy after winning at St Helens in February this year.

Clubs have often argued there is little reward for finishing top of Super League due to the vagaries of many different play-off formats. However, it was revealed yesterday that the side out in front after the completion of the Super 8s will now also automatically secure a place in the 2016 World Club Series, which is confirmed as once more being hosted here next February.

During the inaugural event at the start of this season, champions St Helens, beaten Grand Finalists Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves, as highest-ranked losing semi-finalists, were involved against a trio of leading NRL sides.

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This term Leeds, of course, are currently in pole position, admittedly just a point ahead of second-placed Saints with their seven Super 8s fixtures to come.

EYE ON THE PRIZE: South Sydney Rabbitohs' Tom Burgess (left) and George Burgess pose with the World Club Series trophy after winning at St Helens in February this year.EYE ON THE PRIZE: South Sydney Rabbitohs' Tom Burgess (left) and George Burgess pose with the World Club Series trophy after winning at St Helens in February this year.
EYE ON THE PRIZE: South Sydney Rabbitohs' Tom Burgess (left) and George Burgess pose with the World Club Series trophy after winning at St Helens in February this year.

Hetherington admitted: “We are very, very focused on winning the League Leaders and have been from day one. Not only does it deliver a £100,000 cash prize, the same as winning the Challenge Cup (and double the 2014 amount), it also delivers a home semi-final spot and entry into the World Club Series.

“There is such a lot at stake in terms of coming first this year, more so than any stage in the past, and it is quite historic.”

Hetherington had been one of the biggest supporters of an expanded World Club Challenge but when it was increased from a one-off game for this season, three-time champions ironically Rhinos failed to qualify.

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Yet they might qualify on three different fronts for 2016 given they are also in a Challenge Cup semi-final against Saints at Warrington tomorrow night.

Yorkshire rivals Hull KR could stand to benefit, too, as they face Warrington in the other semi-final on Saturday hoping to go on to Wembley and win the famous competition for a first time since their sole success in 1980.

Meanwhile, if a club did win two of the three trophies this season, the third WCS place would go to the Super League beaten Grand Finalist.

If a side completed the treble – Leeds and St Helens are in the running – the RFL board decides who takes the last spot.

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Super League general manager Blake Solly said: “We had great crowds in the 2015 World Club Series, but also over two million people watching on TV.

“I’m sure with the world class entertainment on show in 2016, that figure will only increase.”

‘Step into unknown’: Page 23

Related topics:Super LeagueSt HelensHull KRRhinos