Next February might be getting a bit more interesting.

With the opening of 2017 looking punishingly boring after the NRL chose to axe both the All Stars game and the NRL Nines due to “player workload issues” for the game’s elite stars (how many elite players went to the Nines anyway? The losers from that decision are the young players who’ll miss out on an opportunity to show their wares, but we digress), word has emerged of a pre-season double-header blockbuster to launch the season.

According to The Daily Telegraph, negotiations are well under way for an international double-header next February, that would feature the Rabbitohs meeting Wigan, and the Dragons taking on Hull FC at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium.

According to the report, the clash is currently penciled in for February 16 (which seems an odd choice, being a Friday – we suspect they may mean Saturday February 17, but that’s just our opinion), with the Charity Shield expected to take place the following weekend.

It’s suggested that both Wigan and Hull would send their strongest possible sides down for the trip (apparently elite British players don’t have the same fatigue problems as Australians).

The plan sounds exciting for rugby league fans starved of action next February, and if it’s successful, it would be great to see the concept continued in future. Hats off to the Rabbitohs and Dragons for having the forethought to take advantage of the opportunity to provide for both their own fans, and general NRL fans alike.

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