Rugby League World Club Challenge Date Set
The World Club Challenge between reigning Tetley’s Super League Champions Bradford Bulls and current NRL Telstra Premiers Newcastle Knights will take place on Friday 1st February 2002.
The match will be staged at the Alfred McAlpine Stadium in Huddersfield (Kick Off 8.00 PM). It will be shown live on Sky Sports in the UK and will also be broadcast live in Australia.
Commenting on the announcement Super League (Europe) Limited General Manager Gary Tasker said,
'I am sure the 2002 World Club Challenge will once again prove to be a tremendous global sporting occasion.
'Bradford Bulls will be worthy standard bearers for the great quality of the Super League competition.
'The game itself is the ultimate team encounter with the possibility of the World Club Championship title providing the all the motivation the players need to produce great skills, passion and excitement.'
Tasker added,
'The Bulls will be giving everything they have to emulate St Helens’ victory over Brisbane and keep the title in the northern hemisphere.'
For the Bradford Bulls, Chairman Chris Caisley said his club are already looking forward to the event,
'The 2002 World Club Challenge is a great opportunity for the Rugby League public to see some of the best players in the world.
'It is an event which creates so much passion and pride and this promises to be a great night.'
Caisley added,
'All the Bradford Bulls' players and coaching staff are already talking about the clash with Newcastle and ,in terms of preparation, it is the only thing on their mind at the moment.
'I hope all Bulls' supporters will make it to the McAlpine and help us bring a World title back to Bradford.'
Kevin Collinge, Chief Executive of the Alfred McAlpine Stadium also hailed news of the event,
'We are delighted to be able to stage the World Club Challenge at the Alfred McAlpine Stadium following the success of the recent GB v Australia Test match.
Collinge added,
'It is always a pleasure to stage world class events and the design of the stadium is now becoming so well known, it is putting Huddersfield on the global sporting map.'
Kevin Collinge has also revealed that the Alfred McAlpine Stadium is not a happy hunting ground for Australian rugby league teams. He said,
'If you look back at previous matches here, then the Aussies always seem to struggle.
'In the '95 League World Cup semi against the Kiwis, they scraped home. In the recent World Cup against Wales they had a tough time and, of course, there was a great British international victory here earlier this month.
'Add to that, the fact that the Bulls have been successful in Cup semi-finals and you have a recipe for what will be a thrilling encounter.'
Tickets for the 2002 World Club Challenge are available now. They can be purchased from the Super League Ticket Hotline on (0113) 234 44 55.
Supporters will also shortly be able to secure their seats via the Internet by logging on to www.superleague.co.uk
The 2001 World Club Challenge was won by St Helens last January when they defeated Brisbane Broncos at the Reebok Stadium. The previous year Melbourne Storm had beaten Saints at the JJB Stadium.
For further information, please contact Andrew Whitelam on:
Tel:(0113) 2441 114
Fax:(0113)2441 110
Mobile:(07770) 993366
E-Mail:andreww@superleague.co.uk.
Web: www.superleague.co.uk
The match will be staged at the Alfred McAlpine Stadium in Huddersfield (Kick Off 8.00 PM). It will be shown live on Sky Sports in the UK and will also be broadcast live in Australia.
Commenting on the announcement Super League (Europe) Limited General Manager Gary Tasker said,
'I am sure the 2002 World Club Challenge will once again prove to be a tremendous global sporting occasion.
'Bradford Bulls will be worthy standard bearers for the great quality of the Super League competition.
'The game itself is the ultimate team encounter with the possibility of the World Club Championship title providing the all the motivation the players need to produce great skills, passion and excitement.'
Tasker added,
'The Bulls will be giving everything they have to emulate St Helens’ victory over Brisbane and keep the title in the northern hemisphere.'
For the Bradford Bulls, Chairman Chris Caisley said his club are already looking forward to the event,
'The 2002 World Club Challenge is a great opportunity for the Rugby League public to see some of the best players in the world.
'It is an event which creates so much passion and pride and this promises to be a great night.'
Caisley added,
'All the Bradford Bulls' players and coaching staff are already talking about the clash with Newcastle and ,in terms of preparation, it is the only thing on their mind at the moment.
'I hope all Bulls' supporters will make it to the McAlpine and help us bring a World title back to Bradford.'
Kevin Collinge, Chief Executive of the Alfred McAlpine Stadium also hailed news of the event,
'We are delighted to be able to stage the World Club Challenge at the Alfred McAlpine Stadium following the success of the recent GB v Australia Test match.
Collinge added,
'It is always a pleasure to stage world class events and the design of the stadium is now becoming so well known, it is putting Huddersfield on the global sporting map.'
Kevin Collinge has also revealed that the Alfred McAlpine Stadium is not a happy hunting ground for Australian rugby league teams. He said,
'If you look back at previous matches here, then the Aussies always seem to struggle.
'In the '95 League World Cup semi against the Kiwis, they scraped home. In the recent World Cup against Wales they had a tough time and, of course, there was a great British international victory here earlier this month.
'Add to that, the fact that the Bulls have been successful in Cup semi-finals and you have a recipe for what will be a thrilling encounter.'
Tickets for the 2002 World Club Challenge are available now. They can be purchased from the Super League Ticket Hotline on (0113) 234 44 55.
Supporters will also shortly be able to secure their seats via the Internet by logging on to www.superleague.co.uk
The 2001 World Club Challenge was won by St Helens last January when they defeated Brisbane Broncos at the Reebok Stadium. The previous year Melbourne Storm had beaten Saints at the JJB Stadium.
For further information, please contact Andrew Whitelam on:
Tel:(0113) 2441 114
Fax:(0113)2441 110
Mobile:(07770) 993366
E-Mail:andreww@superleague.co.uk.
Web: www.superleague.co.uk