Over the weekend, the two best teams from the 2016 Super League season, Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors, took down NRL heavyweights the Brisbane Broncos and premiership winners the Cronulla Sharks.
Prior to Wigan’s victory, just one Super League team has won the World Club Challenge since 2009 – 2012’s Leeds Rhinos.
Crushing victories over the last several years by the Sydney Roosters, South Sydney Rabbitohs and North Queensland Cowboys over the Super League rivals has caused sceptics to criticise the value of the competition.
Warrington’s astonishing victory over the Broncos created shock among NRL fans. Brisbane is one of the premiership favourites heading into the 2017 season, and their loss on the weekend has critics questioning their premiership credentials. The victory is the first by an English club over any Australian opponents since 2012.
Leading into the game, Brisbane were seen as clear favourites, with some even questioning the point of the game, as it could dent the Warrington Wolves confidence leading into the new season. The runners up of the competition had no such problem however, as they proved far too strong.
The showing by Warrington could only be topped by the Wigan Warriors’ performance, smashing the 2016 NRL premiers, in what was a dominating victory. The World Club Challenge trophy now stays in England for the first time in almost five years.
Each year in recent memory, critics have questioned the quality of Super League and how the World Club Challenge competition is not what the world of rugby league needs.
No longer though. This year’s matches were among arguably the competition heavyweights, as Warrington, Wigan, Brisbane and Cronulla are all set to possibly go the distance once again in 2017. This highlights the outstanding performances by the Super League franchise in what promises to be confidence-boosting wins.
The competition gained overflowing social media attention after Warrington’s victory, leading to speculation about both NRL sides’ premiership credentials.
NRL fans have now witnessed the potential for how damaging these Super League teams can be. This will hopefully create a better spectacle in future years.
Both Super League teams were missing key players from last year’s run to the final – Sam Tomkins for Wigan and Chris Sandow for Warrington. This makes their performances last weekend more impressive.
While the Europe-based competition still isn’t as high quality as the NRL, no longer are the matches ‘easybeats’ for teams. Players who came under plenty of scrutiny in Australia, such as Joe Burgess, Kurt Gidley, Frank-Paul Nu’uausala and Ashton Sims showed how much it meant for them, and the rest of their team to win each game.
These victories have saved the competition, and a lot of face for the Super League franchise.
Damo
Guest
The WIgan team was also very different to the team last season and had at least 3 players injured as well, including first choice full back and hooker.
Richard Maybury
Guest
WHAT ! you will be telling me the world isn't flat next.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
It's the World Club Series involving teams from the only two fully professional rugby league competitions in the world. The whole world doesn't have to know about the match, only those following the code. The importance of it is clearly what you make of it. If you don't think it is important, that's your prerogative but not finding it important doesn't preclude the potential and worth of the concept.
Vichy
Guest
Sleiman its a pre season game with the word World in front of it. What percentage a Of the world knew the game took place? 0.000001%? ITS A PRE SEASON GAME
Vichy
Guest
Dean, Australia or NZ to win this time?
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
That's right. People go nuts about the last couple of years but so what? Thrashings occur all the time. That doesn't mean the concept is flawed. This year's series saw the Super League teams playing to their strengths. Warrington like to pass the ball around and Wigan are known for being dour. Good on them for their victories too. And well played Cronulla and Brisbane for supporting the concept. It still boggles my mind that there are people out that do not think that there is any value in the concept.
Jacko
Guest
Crushing victories over the last several years by the Sydney Roosters, South Sydney Rabbitohs and North Queensland Cowboys over the Super League rivals has caused sceptics to criticise the value of the competition. English teams have won 13 WCCs, Aus teams 11 and 1 recorded a no result after Melbourne had won but were later stripped of their title. That seems pretty competitive to me and hardly represents a Aussie monopoly on the title but so what if it was lopsided...SOO still goes ok and thats lopsided results wise
Republican
Guest
......mmm home ground advantage will be huge for NZ & Australia. Kiwis to win v England.
Up the Wahs
Roar Guru
I know I was only jesting, I think the Roosters will be big improvers this year.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
I support the idea of the Premiers v Premiers match, the other ones outside of that dont really make sense, unless you play a Minor Premiers v Minor Premiers Match.
Josh Allerton
Roar Guru
You're right, excuse me. And yes i do call myself a Roosters supporter. Everyone makes mistakes, mate.
Up the Wahs
Roar Guru
you call yourself a roosters supporter and you can't remember what team you beat in the World Club Challenge. It was Wigan by the way.
Up the Wahs
Roar Guru
can't see toulouse going up this year, although they could possibly compete in the super 8's
Jaime O'Donnell
Guest
Damn I'm filthy. I only got 200/1 from Ladbrokes
Fred
Guest
I am awake to the fact that there's a world outside Australia
Josh Allerton
Roar Guru
It was a tough initiation for Brailey, certainly a talent, but perhaps a bit too raw for the NRL just as of yet. Mortimer and Cherrington are the obvious choices initially, but don't be surprised if you see Brown there also. All the young players you mentioned should be going through the NSW Cup program soon which will help them out more than throwing them into the deep end at NRL level.
Josh Allerton
Roar Guru
I agree, I was going to mention this throughout the article - both premiership winning teams should play each other a few weeks after the final so we can see their full strength teams. It would certainly be a better spectacle as both would be in form also. The last three were whitewashes, don't forget the Roosters smashing St Helens at the SFS in 2014.
Jeff dustby
Guest
And what do you think they should do ?
Jeff dustby
Guest
Wake up
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Would have loved to see the Sharks win,however more than happy it was a contest and the Poms clubs showed they can be more than just there to make up the numbers. Any win by the Poms in rugby ;league is good for the game.