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The reigning champions of Super League, St Helens Saints, lock horns with NRL champions South Sydney Rabbitohs. Join The Roar from 5.40am (AEDT) for commentary from Langtree Park.
The World Club Series culminates with St Helens taking on South Sydney. This is the big one, the match to decide the world champions of rugby league.
Souths are out for their fourth trophy in the space of five months, after claiming the NRL crown, the Charity Shield and the Auckland Nines. It’s a purple patch for the club that had waited so long for more silverware.
Saints are after a hat-trick of titles, after they won the minor premiership and grand final in 2014. That success over Wigan at Old Trafford ended a long train of decider defeats.
Both teams have huge forward packs and known for their punishing defence, and both are hard-working sides led by young coaches.
Souths have the edge in experience with Michael Maguire also having led Wigan in Super League.
Kieron Cunningham is only a handful of games into his head coaching career but he has learned off some great bosses and was a very handy player himself. Combining with Shane Long, St Helens has some smart minds on the bench.
The Rabbitohs come into this game with the spine of their 2014 squad intact: Greg Inglis at the back, boom flyer Alex Johnston on the flank, Kangaroo Dylan Walker in the centres and the halves of Adam Reynolds and Luke Keary.
John Sutton should be in the back row and he will be out for a solid game after all the off-field dramas surrounding Souths’ pre-season trip to the US. The Rabbitohs have the chance to put all that controversy to the side and add another a trophy.
There’s no Sam but Burgess twins Tom and George will be glad to be back on home soil.
For St Helens, Luke Walsh is unavailable and veteran fullback Paul Wellens is likely to miss out. James Roby will led them round the park and halves Jon Wilkin and Travis Burns are building a nice combination.
This game will be one for the forwards, it’s in the pack where Saints’ strength lies and it’s the same for South Sydney.
Mose Masoe could be back in the NRL next year and he loves the bash and barge. The Super League side also have some big boppers in Kyle Amor, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook and teen sensation Andre Savelio.
Whoever gets on top in the ruck will surely win this game. How the referee controls the match, with international rules, will also be telling.
I’m predicting Souths to take out the World Club Challenge but there won’t be much in it. St Helens are a great side and will be confident on their home track.
Join The Roar from 5.40am (AEDT) for all the action from Merseyside.
Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson
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