Rabbitohs and Dragons in Spectacular ANZ Stadium Double-Header Against Super League Clubs Wigan and Hull

World Club Champions . . . the Wigan Warriors after their 22-6 win over Cronulla earlier this year.

THE 2018 NRL season will kick off at Stadium Australia in spectacular style, with an international double-header confirmed for Saturday 17 February.

NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Adam Marshall, today announced that British Super League clubs Wigan and Hull will play the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the St George Illawarra Dragons respectively in a classic pre-season double-header at the Stadium.

The Stadium Australia matches will follow a historic first-ever Super League game outside of Europe – with Wigan bringing their Round 2 fixture against Hull to WIN Stadium, Wollongong, on Saturday 10 February.

Pre-sale tickets to both games are available now with general public tickets on sale 12noon Tuesday 12 September here.

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.

St George Illawarra Dragons v Hull FC is likely to kick off the big day at Stadium Australia late afternoon (timing TBC), with South Sydney Rabbitohs v Wigan Warriors from early evening.

Stadium Australia Members will have access to this exciting double-header – the first at the Stadium since 2004 – as part of their 2018 Membership.

Announcing the exclusive NSW tour by the British Super League clubs, Minister Adam Marshall said: “It’s a no brainer that the first ever Australian played Super League match will be held in the country’s No.1 state for major events, and I am thrilled that the NSW Government has secured these exclusive matches for Wollongong and Sydney.

“The NSW Government’s investment in the state’s tourism and major events sectors continues to return outstanding results, expected to attract close to 5000 interstate and overseas visitors to NSW, injecting more than $7 million into the local visitor economy.

“We have a stellar line-up of rugby league events already scheduled in NSW, with this tour following the 2017 NRL Premiership Grand Final in October and Women’s Rugby League World Cup in November and joining Game II of the State of Origin series (at Stadium Australia) in the 2018 major events calendar.”

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.

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.

Tickets and travel packages for all games will go on sale late August with more than 5000 UK fans expected to travel with the teams.

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