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Melbourne Storm vs Leeds Rhinos: World Club Challenge rugby league live scores, blog

16th February, 2018

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Melbourne Storm vs Leeds Rhinos

2018 World Club Challenge, February 16

AAMI Park, Melbourne, VIC
Melbourne Storm Leeds Rhinos
38 SCORE 4
7 Tries 1
4 Conversions 0
1 Penalty Goals 0
0 Field Goals 0
Kick-off: 8pm (AEDT)
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
TV: Live, Nine Network and Fox League
Online: Live, 9Now and Foxtel app
Betting: Storm $1.08, Rhinos $8
Overall record: Played 3, Storm 2, Rhinos 1
Last meeting: 2013 WCC - Rhinos 14 defeated by Storm 18 at Headingley Rugby Stadium

Melbourne Storm
1. Billy Slater 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Will Chambers 4. Curtis Scott 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Brodie Croft 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith © 10. Tim Glasby 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Dale Finucane 14. Brandon Smith 15. Nelson Asofa Solomona 16. Kenny Bromwich 17. Christian Welch 18. Joe Stimson 19. Young Tonumaipea 20. Tui Kamikamica 21. Ryley Jacks

Leeds Rhinos
1. Ashton Golding, 2. Tom Briscoe, 3. Kallum Watkins (C), 4. Liam Sutcliffe, 5. Ryan Hall, 6. Joel Moon, 7. Richie Myler, 8. Adam Cuthbertson, 9. Matt Parcell, 10. Brad Singleton, 11. Jamie Jones-Buchanan, 12. Carl Ablett, 13. Stevie Ward. Interchange: 14. Brad Dwyer, 15. Brett Delaney, 18. Jimmy Keinhorst, 23. Jack Ormondroyd, 24. Jack Walker 30. Josh Walters.
Should the NRL continue with its night-time grand final? (AAP Image/David Moir)
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16th February, 2018
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The Melbourne Storm will begin life after Cooper Cronk when they take on the Leeds Rhinos in the annual World Club Challenge, pitting the premiers of the NRL and English Super League against each other. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 8pm (AEDT).

Melbourne will have a similar side to the one which defeated the North Queensland Cowboys in the 2017 NRL grand final, but without Cronk, there is a huge hole to fill.

That responsibility will fall on Cameron Munster and rookie Brodie Croft, with the former in particular now facing a huge role to ensure the men in purple continue to be a success.

It’s not just Cronk the Storm have lost though. Tohu Harris has departed for the Warriors and his versatility on the edge is going to be difficult to replace, while front rower Jordan McLean has gone to the Cowboys.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona has been earmarked to have a big season up front and will want to make a statement with the eyes of the rugby league world on him here, while the pack will again be led by Jesse Bromwich. The return of Ryan Hoffman from the New Zealand Warriors also adds plenty of experience.

Like Melbourne, Leeds have lost one of their big guns from 2017, with half Danny McGuire moving to Hull Kingston Rovers. The new-look halves combination of Joel Moon and Richie Myler have big shoes to fill if they are to work their way past Melbourne.

If their forward pack can find a way to nullify the Storm, then they may be in with a chance.

Former Manly Sea Eagle, St George Illawarra Dragon, Cronulla Shark and Newcastle Knight Adam Cuthbertson will lead the pack from the front row, alongside Brad Singleton, while hooker Matt Parcell takes on the ageless Cameron Smith.

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Even if the pack can find a way to stay in the game for Leeds, they will need to rely on points being posted by Tom Briscoe and English winger Ryan Hall.

They take on the dangerous combination of Suliasi Vunivalu and Josh Addo-Carr, who were both at the top of the NRL’s try-scoring charts in 2017 and could cause carnage here.

Prediction
Even without Cronk, the Storm are the most professional outfit on the planet, and with home-ground advantage should cruise to a big win.

Storm by 16.

Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the World Club Challenge from 7:30pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.

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