A play-off between the champions of the NRL and the English Super League is in danger of being shelved for the first time in nearly two decades, with Australian clubs showing little interest in next year's World Club Series particularly due to the demanding schedule brought on by the World Cup.

NRL clubs, including premiers Melbourne, will supply dozens of players to the 14 nations competing in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea from October 27 but the tournament stands to have a significant impact on teams' preparations for next year's NRL competition.

The Auckland Nines and the All Stars match have already been taken off the calendar as a result next year and the World Club Challenge – which in recent years has formed part of the WCS concept – is looking increasingly likely to be the latest casualty of the 2018 pre-season

Melbourne are still basking in the glory of their 34-6 grand final victory over North Queensland on Sunday night and are yet to properly turn their attention to what lies ahead this summer.

However, with seven members of the Kangaroos squad and an already-busy pre-season schedule it is understood there is not a great desire at the Storm to take on the winners of the English Super League and contest the WCC, let alone travel to the northern hemisphere as previous NRL premiers have done.