European and English champions Manchester City,complete with 16 football fields and a full-sized indoor pitch,hosted the three-time NRL premiers on Monday night (AEDT) before their clash with Wigan.
Penrith will prepare for the World Club Challenge in style,training at the home of Premier League and European champions Manchester City before their clash with Wigan.
Instead of Erling Haaland,Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri gracing the complex,it was Nathan Cleary,Jarome Luai and Dylan Edwards who were given an access-all-areas pass to the $380 million facility.
“It’s madness,” Panthers halfback and staunch Manchester United fan Nathan Cleary said. “It’s a completely different world and such a different scale to what we’re used to back home. To be in among that and be able to train there,we were very privileged.”
The Panthers and Manchester City have struck up a close association recently:both are chasing a fourth straight title in their domestic leagues and the Sky Blues even had Panthers stars interviewed on Etihad Stadium before their 1-1 draw with Chelsea at the weekend.
The club were guests of City for the crucial Premier League match,which saw Pep Guardiola’s side fall four points behind Liverpool in the standings,albeit with a game in hand.
Nathan Cleary at Manchester City’s training complex.Penrith Panthers
“It was a little bit eerie and you know it’s a place of greatness,” Panthers five-eighth Jarome Luai said. “It was a great experience for all of us and hopefully we can do it again.”
Said hooker Mitch Kenny:“It was pretty mind-blowing. They’re obviously a world-class organisation and everyone knows Man City,whether you’re a soccer or football fan. It’s still a bit of a fanboy moment just being in there. It’s so elite and they do things so grand over here.”
The Panthers were considered trendsetters when they opened their $22 million academy in 2016,with then-general manager Phil Gould welcoming former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull to the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
It is not uncommon for NRL sides to collaborate with some of world football’s biggest clubs. The Roosters toured Barcelona’s facilities before their 2020 World Club Challenge against St Helens.
Panthers props James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota.Penrith Panthers
And coach Ivan Cleary is leaving no stone unturned as Penrith try to win their first World Club Challenge.
The Panthers will have an opposed session against Sam Burgess’ Warrington on Tuesday night (AEDT) and walk through Wigan’s DW Stadium to familiarise themselves with the World Club Challenge venue.
Wigan will be without former Bulldogs prop Luke Thompson for the match after he failed a concussion test on the opening weekend of the Super League season.
Episode two ofUndisputed is available on 9NOW at noon on Friday.
The World Club Challenge is Live and Free to stream on 9GemHD and on Sunday 6.30am AEDT.