The NRL’s first pre-season challenge is set to kick off in a matter of days, and rugby league fans are desperate to see their teams take the field.
The competition’s coaches will likely field their up-and-coming stars and settle a number of selection battles across their two appearances.
However, other clubs will be vying for the title and the Panthers and visitors St Helens have an extra trophy to play for.
Here’s everything you need to know about the NRL’s pre-season challenge!
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RULES EXPLAINED
The NRL has thrown a few curveballs into the mix for the pre-season challenge, with a brand new points system.
Teams will be awarded 12 points for a win, and six for a draw, with several ways to score bonus points ensuring no contest is a dead rubber.
If a team scores five or more tries, they earn one extra bonus point, whilst earning the same amount for five or more linebreaks and 10 or more offloads.
The maximum a team can score with a win is 15 points, while three points are still on offer for the losing side — with draws awarded if teams are level on points at the end of 80 minutes.
The NRL will also allow clubs to field as many as 28 players in the first week of the pre-season challenge, and 26 in the second — with unlimited interchanges.
The only exception will be the World Club Challenge, where only 17 players and an 18th man will be in play, with both teams still being able to earn bonus points as per competition rules.
Penrith and St Helens will both be allowed 10 interchanges each and if the teams are tied at the end of 80 minutes, golden point will be activated.
The Bunker will be in play for every clash of the pre-season challenge.
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In the event of a tie after all games are completed, a system has been laid out to ensure the pre-season challenge will always have a victor.
The team with the highest points differential will stake the money home, but in the event teams are still level it comes down to a percentage.
The winner becomes the team with the greater percentage of points scored for and against, from tries and goals.
If somehow there is still a deadlock at the top of the ladder, the winner is decided by these statistics, in order — most tries, scores, most goals kicked, most field goals kicked, least amount of penalties conceded — and ultimately, the toss of a coin.
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PRE-SEASON CHALLENGE PRIZE MONEY
$100,000 will be awarded to the winner of the NRL’s pre-season challenge.
The inaugural event kicks off on February 9.
2023 NRL PRE-SEASON CHALLENGE FIXTURES (AEDT times)
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9
Warriors vs Tigers, Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland — 6pm
FRIDAY, FEB 10
Knights v Sharks, Industree Group Stadium, Gosford — 5.55pm
Rabbitohs vs Sea Eagles, Industree Group Stadium, Gosford — 8pm
SATURDAY, FEB 11
Eels vs Panthers, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith — 6pm
Dragons v St Helens, WIN Stadium, Wollongong — 8.05pm
SUNDAY, FEB 12
Storm vs Roosters, GMHBA Stadium, Geelong — 1.50pm
Raiders vs Bulldogs, Ack Weyman Oval, Moruya — 3.55pm
Cowboys vs Dolphins, Barlow Park, Cairns — 6pm
Broncos vs Titans, Sunshine Coast Stadium — 8.05pm
FRIDAY, FEB 17
Knights vs Eels, Industree Group Stadium, Gosford — 5.55pm
Roosters vs Sea Eagles, Industree Group Stadium, Gosford — 8pm
SATURDAY, FEB 18
Dragons vs Rabbitohs, Glen Willow Stadium, Mudgee — 3.30pm
Panthers vs St Helens, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith — 6pm (World Club Challenge)
Broncos vs Cowboys, Sunshine Coast Stadium — 8.10pm
SUNDAY, FEB 19
Warriors vs Storm, Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch — 12.50pm
Tigers v Raiders, Belmore Sportsground, Sydney — 2.55pm
Bulldogs v Sharks, Belmore Sportsground, Sydney — 5pm
Dolphins vs Titans, Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe — 7.05pm
