The 2019 World Club Challenge will see the most successful team in the history of the competition take on the side with the second-most victories when the Wigan Warriors and Sydney Roosters do battle at DW Stadium.
Former Rooster Adrian Liam, now head coach of the Warriors, will be out to put a stop to his former club’s quest to match Wigan’s record of four victories. Sitting in eighth place in the Betfred Super League after two rounds, with one win and a loss, a victory for the Warriors will do no harm to their confidence going forward after a mixed beginning to their season.
Although Wigan have yet to formalise their official 17-man squad, it will be a formidable lineup which will likely include Test skipper Sean O’Loughlin, ex-Panther and Test regular Zak Hardaker, former New Zealand test representative Thomas Leuluai, Taulima Tautai, former Panthers playmaker Jarrod Sammut, ex-Storm centre Willie Isa, former Rooster Joe Burgess, ex-Titans Joe Greenwood and Dan Sarginson, as well as Test pivot George Williams.
The Roosters, meanwhile, will open their campaign with the traditional fixture in England, and will undoubtedly take confidence from their last clash against Wigan in the 2014 edition of the World Club Challenge, which they won handsomely to the tune of 36-14. This year, however, they will not be aided by the home team advantage – as they were in 2014 – given that this year’s contest will be played in front of vocal supporters on Wigan’s home turf.
Australia have notoriously struggled in World Club Challenge fixtures played on English soil, with only three NRL teams winning the match from 2000-09, during which time it was played overseas each year. Recent years have seen an upswing in the fortunes of Australian clubs. The Roosters will be looking to continue that trend in 2019.
While the tricolours are undefeated in World Club Challenge matches, they will face a significant challenge against a Wigan side who have already begun their season, and will also not be worn down by extensive travel; for these reasons, look for a Wigan Warriors victory by a margin of one to 12 points.
(AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
Head to head: Roosters 1-0
Previous result: Roosters 36 def Wigan 14 at Allianz Stadium in 2014
Televised: Monday, February 18, 6.05am (AEDT) live on Gem, Fox League & NRL Live Pass.
Roosters squad
Mitchell Aubusson, Nat Butcher, Lindsay Collins, Boyd Cordner (c), Angus Crichton, Cooper Cronk, Poasa Faamausili, Jake Friend (c), Ryan Hall, Matt Ikuvalu, Luke Keary, Asu Kepaoa, Lachlan Lam, Isaac Liu, Joseph Manu, Brett Morris, Victor Radley, Siosiua Taukeiaho, James Tedesco, Zane Tetevano, Daniel Tupou, Sitili Tupouniua, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
Warriors squad
To be announced
Who’s your pick? Sound off in the comments below!
James Ditchfield
Roar Rookie
Because these two clubs won their respective competitions, which are the two toughest in the world.
James Ditchfield
Roar Rookie
Hey patrick, as stated in the article it is being aired live on 9Gem, available on free television throughout New South Wales. Coverage begins at 6:05am.
Jack De B
Guest
This comment has been removed for breaching The Roar's comments policy.
Jack De B
Guest
This comment has been removed for breaching The Roar's comments policy.
Peter Piper
Guest
Its you that is insecure mate and as for 3 or 4 countries, these are the countries that achieved a World Ranking 1 Australia 2 England 3 New Zealand 4 Tonga 5 Fiji 6 France 7 Samoa 8 Scotland 9 Lebanon 10 Papua New Guinea 11 Wales 12 Ireland 13 Italy 14 Jamaica 15 United States 16 Malta 17 Serbia 18 Hungary 19 Greece 20 Norway 21 Canada 22 Philippines 23 Poland 24 Niue 25 Czech Republic 26 Netherlands 27 Solomon Islands 28 Spain 29 Russia 30 Germany 31 Turkey 32 Chile 33 Vanuatu 34 Japan 35 Ukraine 36 El Salvador 37 South Africa 38 Sweden 39 Belgium 40 Hong Kong 41 Colombia 42 Thailand 43 Argentina 44 Cook Islands 45 Denmark 46 Brazil 47 Uruguay 48 Bulgaria 49 Latvia And this is real Rugby League not a pseudo similar game counted as the home sport.
Jack De B
Guest
This comment has been removed for breaching The Roar's comments policy.
Peter Piper
Guest
YES ...... I do. This should be a very important match played after the GF but I love it and I know lots of other people who do too. Its people like you who keep us mired in our own little world and helps to ensure we stay that way. AFL would love to be able to stage a WCC and anything we can do that they cannot has to be good. And the last reason why this match is very important ........ Its Rugby League baby.
Jack De B
Guest
This comment has been removed for breaching The Roar's comments policy.
Tom of Brisbane
Guest
It's on Gem https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/02/nrl-indigenous-all-stars-world-club-challenge.html
Peter Piper
Guest
Patrick, Is that correct ? Its on Gem down here in Victoria. Gee that must be a first that we get it and you don't. I will never forget that Grand Final when Melbourne won it and Channel 9 turned it off as soon as the whistle was blown. No presentation of the trophy, no speeches no commentry, nothing and your team had just won. Why did they pull it ? , so they could show a repeat of everybody loves Raymond. Never forgiven 9 for that and I never will do.
patrick
Guest
Team called SYDNEY is playing and its not available (on free TV) to anyone that lives in Sydney?
Peter Piper
Guest
I would like to see a Wigan win. That would be best for British Rugby League and best for the sport in general but I can't see it happening. I think the Roosters are just too strong across the park.