The second game of the 2015 World Club Series sees the Wigan Warriors, who have played in plenty of World Club Challenges, now get a chance to play in the revamped world club series as they host the Brisbane Broncos, who have also been in their fair share of World Club Challenges. Join The Roar for live coverage of the game from 6:30am (AEDT).
The Wigan Warriors and the Brisbane Broncos are two clubs, that although from different countries, are not strangers to each other. They have faced off in two World Club Challenges before in 1992 and 1994.
In 1992 the game was played at Central Park in Wigan with the Broncos coming out victors 22 points to 8. In 1994, the game was played in Australia at the Broncos former home ground near Mount Gravatt, in Brisbane with the game being won by the Wigan Warriors 20 points to 14. So the ledger between these teams is square at one game a piece and both will be looking to win this one for their country in the revamped World Club Series format.
The Brisbane Broncos have played in three other World Club Challenge games, playing in the unofficial Super League World Club Series in 1997, whilst their other two World Club Challenge games were both trips to England to play against Saint Helens, who are interestingly the team that will play for the main trophy against the South Sydney Rabbitohs this season.
These games were in 2001 and 2007 and the Broncos lost in both. The Wigan Warriors meanwhile have played in a further four World Club Challenge games throughout their history. They played in the 1987 version which was the first to be played in England winning 8-2 against the Manly Sea Eagles, before defeating the Penrith Panthers in 1991 21 points to 4.
After their two games against the Broncos and three World Club Challenge games in a row, the Wigan Warriors weren’t sighted again in the WCC until 2011, when they lost to the St George Illawarra Dragons.
The Wigan Warriors have put a very strong squad forward for the game against the Broncos. Former North Queensland Cowboy Matthew Bowen will play fullback for the Warriors and will be looking for a big performance to make a statement to those watching in Australia that he has still got it.
Wigan winger Joe Burgess, bound for the NRL will be out for a big performance as well. They will be joined by England internationals Josh Charnley, Dan Sarginson, Matt Smith, Liam Farrell and Joel Tomkins. This massive English contingent explains why the Warriors have been so successful in the Super League over the last couple of seasons and why they will prove such a tough opposition for the Broncos.
The Brisbane Broncos, whilst naming a relatively strong side have left some of their best at home in Australia including Matt Gillett, Jack Reed, Dale Copley and Todd Lowrie. Out of the squad they have named for the game, Anthony Milford is undoubtedly going to have a massive roll to play and the result could well come down to how he combines for the Broncos with the likes of Ben Hunt and Justin Hodges.
There is also no doubting for this game that the Broncos forwards are going to need to stand up and put in a big performance led by the likes of Corey Parker and Sam Thaiday.
It is also going to be interesting to see just how serious the Broncos players are and whether they are more concerned about not getting injured or actually beating the Warriors and winning the game.
The key battle of this game is no doubt the battle of the second rows. For Wigan the international combination of Joel Tomkins and Liam Farrell and for the Broncos we see another international back row of Sam Thaiday and Alex Glenn. No doubt that the battle of the second rowers is going to have a massive influence on the way the game pans out.
My Prediction: Wigan to use the home ground advantage and take a close game by 6 points.
Join The Roar from 6:30am (AEDT) on Sunday Morning to follow our coverage of the game and be sure to leave your comments and thoughts as the game unfolds.
toa
Guest
Agree,Thoroughly enjoy it.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
If that had happened in Origin it would have been absorbed into the folklore and storyline that is Origin. The World Club Series deserves to have its own folklore and storyline develop. There has been NOTHING negative about the two matches so far. People may go on about the pitch or some of the refereeing decisions but that is part and parcel of the drama and entertainment that is professional sport. Seriously, the Series has been a winner.
Russell Johnson
Guest
Is that it? Not a remark on a terrific game or the ebb and flow of the match itself? No, just the pitch markings???? ( PITCH MARKINGS - Really?) And a reference to Vichy to boot! Andie Reid if you're not part of the solution you're ............ Or are you just tired? YAWN! (cheeky reference there!)
Russell Johnson
Guest
Sadly the finish was the poorest thing about the game. If it had been a drop goal by either side it would have done the game itself more justice!
Russell Johnson
Guest
Right, once again Sleiman, but are we playing night watchmen in trying to avoid the follow on, when it comes to convincing the RL community to realise the way we have to go? PS sorry about the other sport metaphor but it seemed oddly appropriate! And no there were no negatives in these games except the usual from the ever consistently pro-union BBC! (Whatever happened to the Beeb's imaginary and self - perpetuating idea of being unbiased? And don't forget the words of Paul Revere, Aussies " THE BRITISH ARE COMING!"
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I've got no problems with Brisbane winning. As far as I am concerned, the team that wins is always the better side but Wigan couldn't hold on to the ball to save their lives. Yet they still managed to force the Broncos into extra time. Wigan heads will be filled with thoughts of the great 'what if?'
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Some debatable decisions, for sure. But Wigan had their chances so I don't go in for the idea that officiating cost them the match (although, technically, one could say that). Wigan didn't have to play chip and case and short kicks behind the line 30 metres out from their line in extra time. But they did. They took the chances and it didn't pay off for them. As I always say, the team that scores the most points deserves the win. But geez, it was a pleasure to watch.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
The series so far has been incredible stuff. Passion, intensity, rivalry... I mean, State of Origin has all of these things, right? The World Club Series is such an obvious way to promote the internationalisation of the code whilst at the same time keeping its domestic traditions alive. There are no negatives at all.
Russell Johnson
Guest
I'm just hoping everyone, even the most jaundiced, out there can see what a great idea this WCC is, and the sooner it becomes an end of season trophy (ies) for at least 1,2 and 3 from both sides of the globe, just before the 4 Nation,s the better! Russell Crowe has helped create more media interest over there by going to watch, great stuff! Just a pity the BBC can't but help ask an irrelevant question about SB "You move to right! A little more Twickers! And you shake it about! Let's do the Time Warp Again! " Sometimes moving out of the 1960's can be very hard can't it?Bless! ;-)
Scott Pryde
Expert
There were markings in Warrington yesterday... I believe the groundstaff barely had enough time to get down the essential lines as it was... It was snowing all day.
Margaret M
Guest
What a finish to this game Well done Broncos Congratulations on your win your and your never give up attitude . More Trophies To show off All the best for this season Go Broncos
Andie Reid
Guest
Shocking pitch!! And why is it in UK Super League game there are no pitch markings or numbers?? Totally amateur set up over there. No wonder they live in the shadow of RU....
Bronco Juggernaut
Guest
Charnley is terrible haha, even ask the England fans. But Ryan Hall, certainly on par with B. Morris for me.
Bronco Juggernaut
Guest
They were easily the better side. You are just bitter, most likely a pom. Wigan have been their usually dirty self, starting fights, head high tackles, just all round filthy play.
Bronco Juggernaut
Guest
If the ground didn't resemble a pig pen the Broncs would of won by 20.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
If the ground were decent we would've seen a much higher scoring game, but the game was great tough league despite the soft ending and relatively high error rate.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Wet conditions to that ground is like Chad Townsend is to Darren Lockyer. They were playing on a recently ploughed farm by the looks of if.
Cecil
Guest
Brisbane forward pack looks great,really held their own tonight in the wet coditions. And once Darious is back to fullback with Milford and Hunt in the halves it will be a strong line up.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Hmmm. I meant Joe. Must have been getting tired. Sorry Jay C! Good pick up.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Ouch.