- 100 days to go till UK Super League clubs Wigan Warriors and Hull FC tour NSW;
- WIN Stadium, Wollongong, will host the first Super league game ever played outside Europe on Saturday 10 February – Wigan Warriors v Hull FC;
- The two clubs will also feature in an International Double-Header at Stadium Australia on Saturday 17 February, with St George Illawarra Dragons v Hull FC, followed by South Sydney Rabbitohs v Wigan Warriors;
- Tickets are now on sale for both games here.
Julian Keith
WIGAN WARRIORS captain Sean O’Loughlin and Hull FC hardman Scott Taylor are teaming up for England at the 2017 Rugby League Word Cup . . . but they will soon be on opposite sides when the two UK Super League teams tour NSW for historic matches.
O’Loughlin and Taylor today took time out from their Word Cup commitments for England to speak about the excitement in their respective camps ahead of the NSW tour.
“It is shaping up to be a really special couple of weeks for both fans and players,” O’Loughlin said.
“From a Wigan perspective, to play our arch-rivals Hull FC for Super League premiership points in the middle of an Aussie summer will be a real test.
“And then the two Super League teams run in to Sydney NRL giants the Rabbitohs and the Dragons in an International Double-Header at the home of rugby league in Sydney – the magnificent Stadium Australia.”
Wigan will bring their 2017/18 season Round 2 Super League fixture against Hull to WIN Stadium, Wollongong, on Saturday 10 February. This will be the first-ever Super League game for premiership points ever played outside of Europe.
In a massive win for footy fans, Hull FC will play St George Illawarra Dragons before Wigan Warriors play South Sydney Rabbitohs in an International Double-Header at Stadium Australia on Saturday 17 February.
Tickets and travel packages for both games are available now. Go here. More than 5000 UK fans are expected to travel with the teams – helping to create a fabulous game-day atmosphere.
The events have been secured by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, in partnership with Wigan Rugby League Football Club and Destination Wollongong.
Stadium Australia Members will have access to the International Double-Header as part of their 2018 Membership. Membership enquiries here.
Or why not watch the big double-header in style with your corporate clients? Choose between a Private Suite, Zone Box or Centreline Seats to entertain your important clients. Enquiries here.
O’Loughlin and Taylor were today given a sneak peek of WIN Stadium in Wollongong by former St George Illawarra Dragons stars Shaun Timmins and Mathew Head, the latter who also played for Hull FC and is now on the Dragons coaching staff.
The England forwards were later in Sydney to promote the International Double-Header.
With NSW venues Stadium Australia and WIN Stadium to host the events, Venues NSW Chairman Christine McLaughlin said:
“The NSW Government must be congratulated on securing these exciting rugby league games, which will showcase its stadium network.
“This Tour will deliver a historic Super League game to WIN Stadium, Wollongong, and a fantastic double-header to the major events venue of Stadium Australia at Sydney Olympic Park.
“This is a perfect example of the Venues NSW network of stadiums working together to host the right content at the right venues.”
Wigan Warriors have the biggest rugby league fan base in the UK and are the defending Super League Champions and World Club Champions.
The club is the most successful in the UK, having won 21 League Championships, including four Super League Grand Finals, in addition to 19 Challenge Cups and four World Club Challenge trophies.
Wigan thrashed NRL Premiers Cronulla 22-6 in the UK in February to win their fourth Word Club Challenge title.
However, Hull FC had the Warriors’ measure to win the 2017 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley 18-14 in August.
Of course, the most famous Challenge Cup Final of them all was the 1985 edition, which featured two high-profile Aussie players. A Brett Kenny-inspired Wigan edged out the Peter Sterling-led Hull FC 28-24.
Hull FC was founded in 1865, making them one of the oldest rugby league teams in the world. They have won six League Championships and added a fourth Challenge Cup in 2016. They finished the 2016 Super League season in third place.
