GARY Hetherington believes more Super League sides would be willing to play in Australia after agreeing to take on NRL champions Melbourne in their own back yard.
And at first it may be Down Under, then it could be the world.
The Rhinos will face the Storm in the World Club Challenge at AAMI Park on Friday, February 16.
The day after, Wigan face NRL giants South Sydney and Hull take on St George-Illawarra in a double header in Sydney.
And Hetherington admits even more sides, including his own, would like to spread their wings and play across the globe.
That leaves the prospect of games taking place in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Toronto, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, as well as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, very much open.
When asked about whether more sides would look to head abroad, the Rhinos’ chief executive said: “Yes, although that’s difficult, of course.
“It’s a really interesting concept and I think it not only opens up opportunities to go to Australia, but to other cities in the world that are passionate about major sporting events.
“We play the day before Wigan and Hull do, so this in effect creates a World Club Series event. Our game adds to the occasion of Wigan and Hull and the double header in Sydney.
“The World Club Challenge and World Club Series are big events and can attract a global support, which is what the objective of Super League and the NRL should be, to create a real demand to stage these big events.”
Hetherington insisted Melbourne were never going to head to the UK to play, neither were the Storm’s Grand Final opponents, North Queensland Cowboys.
But once Leeds said they would travel the 10,503 miles, he is adamant there was no hesitation.
And he told SunSport how much the journey will cost the club – absolutely nothing!
He added: “It was impossible for Melbourne to come to England. As soon as we knew that, all our players and staff said, ‘We’ll come to Australia.’ This is our ultimate challenge.
“We knew in the build up to the NRL play-offs that neither North Queensland nor Melbourne would be able to travel to England.
“And when we won and it became clear that Melbourne wouldn’t travel, we immediately said we’d go to Australia. Melbourne were very keen to host us – they’ve been passionate about this from day one. I don’t think there was any dragging of feet.
“There’s an arrangement in place, an agreement between the NRL and Super League. We provide for them when they come to England, they reciprocate when we go over there.
“That’s not been a problem. Melbourne have been outstanding in their dealings with us.”
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