Show caption Jamie Jones-Buchanan of Leeds runs with the ball during the 2018 World Club Challenge against the Melbourne Storm. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images Super League ‘Undervalued’ World Club Challenge in line for major revamp, says Elstone • Location, format and timing of event up for debate

• ‘It’s the best against the best – there has to be more potential’ Exclusive by Aaron Bower Thu 14 Feb 2019 16.13 GMT Share on Facebook

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The Super League chief executive, Robert Elstone, has hinted that major changes to the location, format and scheduling of the World Club Challenge may be implemented as early as next season, after conceding the event is “undervalued and underplayed”.

The Super League champions, Wigan, host the NRL winners, Sydney Roosters, on Sunday in rugby league’s annual fixture to determine the best club side in the world but Elstone believes the concept needs “detailed consideration” to maximise its potential.

The concept expanded into a six-team World Club Series before reverting to a standalone match last year. Hosting the event in neutral territories has also been mooted. Elstone, who will hold discussions with the NRL over the event’s long-term future, said nothing is off the table.

“I think it’s definitely undervalued and underplayed,” he said. “It’s the best against the best, so there has to be more potential in it as an event. We’ve got to bring Super League, the NRL and all the clubs into the mix to nail down the discussions and maximise the potential of it as a concept and a sporting event. I think we should be looking at doing something for 2020.”

Elstone also suggested he will consider moving the event away from England and Australia even though it has never been held outside those two countries. “I think we’re at the stage with it where we shouldn’t be ruling anything out,” he said. “But first and foremost, I think we have to look at what time of the year we’re playing it. Then there’s the format, as well as the host venue … we’ve got to consider all those.”

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Talks have taken place about moving the game from its traditional early-season slot to immediately after the conclusion of the Super League and NRL domestic seasons in October.

“There might be a degree of logic in doing that,” he said. “You could have it as a conduit pathway into the international programme and stage it in the location where the best of the international calendar is going to take place.