RFL claims Super League clubs equal to NRL sides

RFL boss Nigel Wood says Super League‘s top clubs are equal to their NRL counterparts in every capacity on and off the field.

The World Club Series takes place on UK soil in February with Leeds facing NRL premiers North Queensland, St Helens taking on the Roosters and Wigan meeting Brisbane.

Last year the three NRL clubs prevailed in all three fixtures, and Wood believes one of the Super League teams must get a victory this time round.

“For us, I think we do need to get a win,” Wood told The Yorkshire Evening Post.

“But we’ve had success in this competition before.

“Our best clubs are absolutely the equal of the NRL clubs in every capacity – on field and off it.

“We might not have the same depth in terms of excellence as the NRL but we should definitely believe St Helens, Wigan and Leeds are as good on and off the field as those they’ll be playing.”

RFL chief executive Nigel Wood insists Super League’s leading clubs are the equal of their Australian rivals in “every capacity.”

The World Club Series next month will feature the two NRL grand finalists and the NRL minor premiers.

Wood said the Australian clubs value the competition more now.

“Firstly, we have to really recognise and celebrate the fact it’s taken us a while to get the concept up and away,” he said.

“Last year, there were only a handful of NRL clubs who wanted to consider it.

“This year they virtually all put their hands up and said they wanted to be a part of this.

“It’s testimony to the concept that they are bringing their one, two and three over; this is not the champions plus two other volunteers.

“It puts equity into it.”