In what is sure to be one of the coldest World Club Challenge’s ever played, the Leeds Rhinos will host the Manly Sea Eagles for the right to be called the World Club Challenge Champions.
After winning last season’s NRL title, the Sea Eagles proceeded to self-destruct at just about every level.
With issues at board level, coach Des Hasler sacked, talk of players leaving and talk of a number of different lawsuits being filed, you could say that the Sea Eagles have had the off season from hell.
In truth, the last thing the club needed right now was to have to pack everyone up and send them over to England for a couple of weeks.
Still, new coach Geoff Toovey now has a great opportunity to get his side away from all of the problems the club is going through and just have them concentrate on football.
The Sea Eagles will go into the game at full strength with the added bonus of having David Williams return from an neck injury that ended his 2011 season.
They take on the Leeds Rhinos who are two weeks into their Super League campaign. The Rhinos have been one of the more dominant teams in Super League over the last decade but their run towards last year’s Super League grand final was a surprised to just about everyone.
A number of the favourites failed to deliver when it mattered most, and even Leeds fans will tell you that their 2011 grand final winning side was not as good as some of their teams of the past.
I watched their loss last week to Wigan and Leeds looked terrible. While their offense was not too bad, defensively they were all over the place, especially on the edges. While watching the game I couldn’t help but think that Leeds were the perfect side for Manly to play. Anthony Watmough and Glenn Stewart should have a field day.
These games are always a bit strange to watch. The NRL team is always underdone, having played little to no football since the end of the previous season. Meanwhile, the Super League club always comes in with a number of full competition games under their belt.
In the past these games were played on “neutral” grounds in northern England that were only a stone’s throw away from the home sides home ground anyway. It seems that in 2012 the RFL decided the appearance of neutrality was not needed, so this match will be played at Leeds home ground, Headingley Carnegie Stadium.
Leeds only have two injury concerns with Kallum Watkins recovering from a wrist injury while Lee Smith is listed as doubtful to recover from a possible rib cartilage damage.
You can expect Leeds to come out breathing fire. You can expect Manly to look pretty awful early on. However, as Manly gets into the game I think you’ll see them pull away and win this one.
Generally W.C.C. games are low scoring affairs with the good defense of the NRL team and their lack of match fitness being big factors. That’s why I think we will see Manly defeat the Rhinos by a scoreline of 18-8.
I will be live blogging during the World Club Challenge on The Roar.
If you are up early and watching the game, come an join me and get my thoughts and opinions on the match LIVE!
Rhino in Oz
Guest
Good half time score prediction. Thx for the heads up on Gem. Was able to skype from Adelaide back to Yorkshire !!
trakl
Guest
The players involved in the controversial Manly v Melbourne bust-up last season - which occasioned furious denunciation and compassionate "understanding" in equal measure - must look at the 5 minutes of this clip and wonder what all the fuss was about! The sheer unrelenting intensity in terms of both physical and psychological toil is frightening even after all these years. One of the great games and occasions in the history of rugby league - and not a single try!
Boomshanka
Guest
Can't believe 25 years have past since this game. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5D2ZSjfjg2E Not a try scored, but even on you tube the intensity is still there for all to see. The crowd of 37k is impressive for Central Park given the capacity was dropped to the mid 20's (with no significant changes to the ground) following the Hillsborough Disaster. I had a season ticket in 1988-89 and loved every moment. The weekends were full of Rugby League, traveling along the M62 and to Wembley. Great times, great place and people. Summer in Wigan back then is like Melbourne in the Wintertime now. No decent sport to watch.
Adrian
Guest
Manly blew them off the park a few years ago can't see anything changing this weekend. Manly 24-10. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Bilbo
Guest
The match will be a real test for Toovey, despite having pretty much the same squad as last year. The matches tend to be pretty even, and considering Manly's lack of recent football, Leeds are my tip. Adjusting to the conditions, as always, will be a problem for the Australians. Glad that it's got Australia-wide coverage though - not even the semi finals or test matches get that.... -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Jaceman
Guest
As requested, please stick to AFL. Thanks, Roar Mods.
Andy
Guest
Manly are lucky leeds are not in form. Leeds have conceded a number of points in their last two games and in their latest game scored only 1 try. The problem for manly is they have very little match fitness and it has been a long time since they played a full 80 minute game that mattered. In saying that at the moment they don't have to be great to beat leeds so i will tip manly 24 leeds 16.
B.A Sports
Leeds comfortably. David Williams return an added bonus?! Is he really one of their best options at wing? I guess with Robertson and Hoppa gone he might be, but i would still take Whare over him and Oldfield isn't that bad. They have Farrer back this year to don't they?
Boomshanka
Guest
And the game will be shown nationwide on GEM - Saturday 6.45am - Even south and west of the Barassi Line! (Must be negotiation time) I'll say Leeds 13 - 6