So.... Have we now qualified for this tournament as we will offically finish third even if we lose on Friday.... Assuming that saints beat Catalan?

Cannot remember exactly how the 3 clubs are selected but if it's 2 Grand Finalists and highest finisher then we have a good chance of participating

itll be wigan sts and leeds..the rfl will see to that

The club challenge is determined by the two grand finalist so therefore that will be either Warrington, Wigan, cats or saints. The third place is by league placing which will be Huddersfield I believe?

It's LLS winner and the two grand finalists. Unsure what happens if Saints get to the final, I'd presume it would be Huddersfield in third place although I'd rather it went to the CC winner.

Wires g/f winners
Stains hub cap winners
Pies 2nd in league

I concluded this too, but I believe that the RFL kept the definition of "third ranked team" obscure foR the purpose of having power to pick and choose. The only way any team can be totally sure is to win in the semi imo.

Not sure why there's confusion. It's the two GF teams, plus highest placed league team. By winning LLS Saints were guaranteed a place.

Therefore, possibilities are:
- Saints, Wigan, Huddersfield (if Saints-Wigan GF)
- Saints, Wire, Wigan (if Saints-Wire GF)
- Saints, Wigan, Catalans (if Catalans-Wigan GF)
- Saints, Wire, Catalans (if Wire-Catalans GF).

I really hope we are a part of this, it will be brilliant!

Do you think? It's a pre-season game for the Aussie clubs. Brisbane did nothing to earn qualification, other than being interested in doing it. Souths making the GF gives them credibility, but they'd have been coming regardless. Assume Canterbury are now in regardless of their GF result.

It's all a bit gimmicky. Two winners obviously play each other, but how are other games decided? If the Aussies had the same approach to qualification, and winners played each other, runners up played each other and highest league teams played each other, it would make more sense and mean a bit more. But what are the 2nd and 3rd teams actually playing for? Are these just friendly/exhibition games, or 'full' games? If the latter, what's the actual purpose of playing?

I'm all for promoting the game though, and think this will. But we all know the Aussies ain't really interested. I'll be there if we're in it regardless of who we play, but if we ain't there as GF winners, playing the Aussie GF winners, it's only a friendly in my eyes.

Back in the day when we played touring sides we weren't playing for anything, but it was still a huge occasion. It's a chance to see our own team take on the biggest names and brands in our sport, with plenty of exposure and revenue as a result.

I think the fact our game's history is so steeped in professionalism holds us back sometimes. Just look at Union, with events such as the Barbarians game, the last bastion of amateurism. It's by all means a huge event.

Attitudes down under have improved and the clubs have been selected on that basis, but admittedly there is still that attitude of self importance in Australian RL, just look at the way they refused to play an Ashes series. Just this morning Channel 9 was describing the NRL Final as 'rugby league's greatest day' which I find terrible in so many ways. The only way we can change their stinking attitude is by throwing everything at them in this competition and at test level.

I think the Tour comparison is a fair shout actually, but clearly as a new concept it doesn't carry the weight that they did. I think it could have been done better though, and for me the structure undermines it-it proves the Aussies haven't bought into it, and with the disparity between the two comps I can see why. Their arrogance is hard earned.

Channel 9 are just trying to sell it up. We all know SOO is the pinnacle of the sport

They really do drive me insane. But as I say the only way of changing it is getting some wins under our belt. God knows we are due one at international level!

Trouble is, if we do (we won't!), it'll only be because of the NRL based players, which wouldn't really help the argument!

Was the announcement (which only comes into effect if the LLS winners dont make the GF) the highest RANKED team not highest placed League team. Highest rank = highest placed losing semi finalist if required.

Therefore
GF ----- Saints V Wigan, = Saints, Wigan, Wolves
GF ----- Saints V Warrington = Saints, Wigan, Wolves
GF ----- Catalan V Wigan = Saints, Wigan, Catalan
GF ----- Catalan V Wolves = Saints, Wolves, Catalan

A..Top of the league
B..GF winners
C..GF runners up
D..Highest position within the league.

All in that order of merit regardless of who finishes where.

Just been thinking, it would be a real boost if Catalans were involved in the 'World' series.

It would give more credibility to the WCC to have it played between the squads who had actually achieved something instead of taking place as a pre season game with squads that have most likely changed over the close season. Have it a couple of weeks after the season ends with the existing squads.

More common ground
I was thinking exactly the same yesterday
Also how big a boost to have a NRL team or two play over in France.

This idea is still in its early stages. Next year it's basically the standard WCC & 2 exhibition matches, but the end goal is to have a proper mini-league.

At least that's what I can gather from reports.

I want to win the real WCC after winning the Grand Final, but if we're just going to be iinvolved in some third placed glorified friendly I'm not too fussed.

I think the confusion on here as to who will be the third qualifier speaks volumes though. We know it will be the two Grand Finalists and the League Leaders' Shield winner if they don't make the final. If they do though, then I think the RFL have hedged their bets and will choose either the highest placed Super League team or the highest ranked losing semi finalists depending on who that is. If Catalan win then obviously it will be the two in the final plus Saints, and if it's a Saints V Wires Grand Final then the third team will obviously be Wigan as they were second in the table and a semi finalist.

If it's Saints V Wigan at Old Trafford they'll have a choice to make though. Either third in the table - Huddersfield, or the highest ranked beaten semi finalists - Wires. I think they'll put us in it if that's the case to be honest.

The amusing thing is that you probably genuinely believe this.

He probably does believe it but who will he pick for the ref?

Will it be silverdud?
Bent-ham?
Ben Failure?
James just a child?

Sorry I don't have the full repertoire of silly nicknames?

Wonder if Ben Westthug will be fit for the final?

My understanding was that any club involved had to ensure they could finance the match upfront to the tune of £200k, have Huddersfield/Catalan be able to fund this? Not after Friday nights debacle!

Ben Dover in the scrum.

Catalans had almost as many fans on Friday as we took there in 2008.