The Manly Sea Eagles will aim to win their second World Club Challenge title when they face Super League champions Leeds Rhinos today. Join us for live scores from 7:00am AEDT.
NRL Premiers the Sea Eagles will have fond memories of their last clash against Leeds, beating the Super League outfit 28-20 in the 2009 World Club Challenge.
This match also signifies Geoff Toovey’s first real test as Manly’s new coach, so it will be interesting to see if the Sea Eagles are capable of playing the high intensity football that we were accustomed to seeing under former coach Des Hasler.
If the Sea Eagles manage to win well this morning, then all signs should point to a good maiden year in first grade coaching for Toovey.
Leeds on the other hand will be aiming to end a three year losing streak for English teams against NRL opposition at the World Club Challenge, so expect the Rhinos to come out all guns blazing in front of a packed Headingly stadium.
Both teams are ready for a war of attrition and will be eager to overpower one another in the forwards, with Manly and Leeds possessing great packs.
Anthony Watmough and Glenn Stewart will hold the keys upfront for the Sea Eagles, while Leeds will look to the inspirational Jamie Peacock for the motivation they need to stick with Manly for the full 80 minutes.
As is the case in most big games, whichever side dominates territory will go a long way to winning the World Club Challenge.
The Rhinos will be aiming to keep things tight for the majority of the contest, so expect their forwards to grind away the territory needed that will allow veteran Kevin Sinfield and young half Danny McGuire to dominate with their strong kicking games.
If Manly’s forwards get on top however, the Rhinos will have a hard time containing a Sea Eagles backline that contains awesome strike power.
Young halves Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans certified themselves as the NRL’s most dominant playmaking duo last season, setting up over 29 tries between them.
The Rhinos will also have their work cut out trying to contain the Sea Eagles left edge attack which was also ranked as the most lethal in the NRL in 2011. If Steve Matai, Brett Stewart and Watmough get any space, Leeds will pay dearly on the scoreboard.
Overall, the Sea Eagles possess an abundance of class players, and whilst it may take a while to click into gear, Manly should still emerge victorious against a determined Rhinos side that will keep the NRL Premiers honest for the majority of the contest.
Sea Eagles to win by 10.