Joe Batchelor driven by ‘disrespect’ as St Helens aim for World Club Challenge glory | ‘We deserve this’ | Rugby League News

The revived World Club Challenge sees St Helens head to Australia to take on NRL champions Penrith Panthers on February 18; watch the World Club Challenge on Sky Sports Arena, Mix and Main Event from 7.50am on Saturday February 18

Joe Batchelor believes St Helens deserve more respect ahead of their World Club Challenge clash with the Penrith Panthers

St Helens’ Joe Batchelor has revealed the sense of “disrespect” that is driving the defending Super League champions to upset the odds in their World Club Challenge with Penrith Panthers.

Saints face the NRL champions at the BlueBet Stadium in the Sydney suburbs on February 18 having been written off by many despite their unprecedented recent dominance of the domestic game.

In an era when Super League stars are routinely linked with big-money moves Down Under, Batchelor has called on other English sides to put traditional rivalries on hold and back their bid to reinvigorate rugby league’s world order.

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Jon Wilkin says St Helens are still the benchmark side ahead of the 2023 Super League season but admits coach Paul Wellens has a challenge on his hands

“We’ve been written off by many people and probably been disrespected in a way we shouldn’t be,” said the Saints back-rower, who made his England debut in their crushing World Cup win over Greece in October.

“Once you’re at the top, everybody wants to knock you down. If the rest of the English teams could put rivalries aside for one game, it would mean a lot and I think we’d gain a lot of respect off the back of it.

“It doesn’t bother us really. We’ve won Super League for four years in a row so we deserve this crack at the World Club Challenge. It’s the pinnacle of the club game and an achievement that can’t get any higher.

“We are going out there to win it.”

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Jamie Jones-Buchanan says he admires St Helens’ consistency at the top of the Super League over the last few years

St Helens warmed up for Saturday’s World Club Challenge against Penrith Panthers with a comfortable 30-18 victory over St George Illawarra Dragons in Wollongong, with tries from Lewis Dodd, Jack Welsby, Tommy Makinson, Joey Lussick and Tee Ritson securing a morale-boosting win.

Head coach Paul Wellens was impressed with his side’s victory, but knows that Saturday’s game represents a step up.

“It was really good. We’ve been in pre-season for a couple of months and I was really itching to get the guys out there.

“I thought they gave a great account of themselves and did everything I asked of them, so I’m very pleased with the performance.

“The reality is that we know the Dragons were far from full strength – but you can only go and play what is in front of them and I think the way the guys went about that challenge was very impressive.”

NRL Pre-Season Challenge and All Stars fixtures

Friday, February 17: Charity Shield – St George Illawarra Dragons vs South Sydney Rabbitohs (4.30am), Newcastle Knights vs Parramatta Eels (6.55am), Sydney Roosters vs Manly Sea Eagles (9am).

Saturday, February 18: Wests Tigers vs Canberra Raiders (Sky Sports Mix, 3.55am), WORLD CLUB CHALLENGE – PENRITH PANTHERS VS ST HELENS (7.50am), Brisbane Broncos vs North Queensland Cowboys (9.10am).

Sunday, February 19: New Zealand Warriors vs Melbourne Storm (Sky Sports Mix, 1.50am), Canterbury Bulldogs vs Cronulla Sharks (6am), Dolphins vs Canberra Raiders (8.05am).

* All matches on Sky Sports Arena unless stated

Sky Sports is the home of all three Super League Grand Finals in 2023. The Men’s Grand Final, the Women’s Grand Final and the Wheelchair Grand Final will all be live on Sky Sports next season.

The new Super League season starts on Thursday, February 16, with Sky Sports showing 66 live matches this year.