'Not optional': Madge calls for WCC to have fixed spot on calendar

Brisbane coach Michael Maguire says the World Club Challenge should not be optional.

Speaking on the eve of the 2026 instalment of the clash of champions at MKM Stadium with the Broncos taking on Hull KR, Maguire said the fixture deserved a permanent place in the global rugby league calendar.

“I'd like it to be - from my experience over here and back home, I'd love it to be,” said the man who led South Sydney to success in the 2015 edition.

“We had the opportunity to decide whether we were going to play the game and I felt it was really important.

"Our players play all year. It allows us to come over the other side of the world and have an experience but also train.

"The boys have done all the work so I think it's really important from that point of view.

But I think it's also great for the international side of the game as well.

"Hull KR have got their rewards off the back of their season as well ... I think it should be in the fixtures for sure."

Maguire also coached Wigan to defeat at the hands of St George Illawarra in 2011.

Last year the game was not held because of Penrith’s Las Vegas commitments but Hull KR are also going to Nevada and have squeezed it into their 2026 schedule.

Elsewhere at his match eve media conference:

• The former NSW coach backed changes to State of Origin eligibility;
• Maguire said he “had nothing to do” with keeping his starting side quiet until 90 minutes before kick-off - but was still somewhat vague on exactly who would start;
• The coach predicted there would be "plenty of traffic" heading at the Robins' former Man of Steel Mikey Lewis;
• Maguire revealed members of the 1992 WCC-winning Broncos side would meet to watch the match together.

On the Origin changes, he said: "I am (supportive) just because of the nature of where people are born now.

"I've obviously worked with the Kiwi players, and they unfortunately do miss out on those opportunities.

"But also, too, it's going to open up an opportunity if a young Kiwi lad is born in Australia and he's played a lot of his footy there, it allows him to potentially go on and play Origin and in the international space (for New Zealand)."

After Lewis was sent to the sin bin last week for tripping an opponent, Maguire was asked whether getting under the 24-year-old's skin would be part of the match plan.

"I'm sure there'll be plenty of traffic going that way," he answered. "That's part of it - you chase the halves. He's not going to be any different to any other half that we're playing against.

"There's things in our game where we'll go after those opportunities when they arise."

With Ben Hunt confirming in a 4BC interview that he would play off the bench, Maguire said this was not necessarily going to be the plan all season.

"That will keep evolving," he said. "The boys at some stage will change, whether I feel it's the right thing to do or the team feels it's the right thing to do.

"Having someone like Hunty to come off the bench, it's pretty handy for us. Hunty can go into the halves if need be, Hunty can go into the middle of the park if he has to. We’ll let the game play out and see where they land.”

There was also a subtle change in the messaging around Payne Haas' departure to South Sydney, with Maguire reasoning that Brisbane were fortunate to have not lost more players following their 2025 premiership success.

"We've got Payno for this year and there's a big opportunity in front of us," the coach said. "It's not often you have the same team in consecutive years.

"Our game is a changing game. It always does (change). Every team that's succeeded, people move for whatever reason.

"Whilst we've got this consecutive team, second year round after success, we're going to chase every day and enjoy it."

Brisbane have won the WCC only twice despite their seven premierships and Maguire said: "I've had some really great text messages from a couple of the old boys from '92.

"They're going to get together to watch the game. That's nice to hear ... from such a long time ago, what the game means to them.

"Our players in years to come will probably have the same memories, reflections."

About 100 Broncos fans arrived in Humberside midweek after flying into Scotland.
The group, led by former player Alex Glenn, attended the match-eve Captain's Run at the match venue.