1997 World Club Championship
The 1997 World Club Championship was an expansion of the World Club Challenge concept by Super League. The rugby competition was restructured to include all 22 clubs from the Australasian Super League and the Super League championships and was known as the Visa World Club Championship due to sponsorship. As it was contested over 6 rounds in 2 hemispheres, with A$1,000,000 prize money (GBP 640,000), the competition was prohibitively expensive to stage. This coupled with the poor ratings and attendances that were achieved both in Australia and Europe reportedly resulted in a loss over $5,000,000, and the World Club Challenge was not staged again for a number of years. No British teams progressed further than the quarter finals, with two Australian teams reaching the final (played at the Ericsson Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand): the dominant Brisbane Broncos club and the ill-fated Hunter Mariners.[1]
 | |
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Dates | 6 June-11 October |
| Teams | 22 |
| Final positions | |
| Champions |  Brisbane Broncos (2nd title) |
| Runners-up |  Hunter Mariners |
1997 tournament tables
The Australasian and European teams were each divided into two pools for the 1997 World Club Challenge. Each pool had six teams, with the exception of Australasia B, which had the two lowest placed Super League-aligned teams and the two newly formed teams: the Hunter Mariners and the Adelaide Rams. The finals series was contested between the top three teams in Australasia Pool A and Europe Pool A, and the top team from Australasia Pool B and Europe Pool B.
Australian Super League
Pool A
| Club | Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | For | Against | Diff. | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brisbane Broncos | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 270 | 52 | 218 | 12 |
 Auckland Warriors | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 268 | 82 | 186 | 12 |
 Cronulla Sharks | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 230 | 54 | 176 | 12 |
 Penrith Panthers | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 256 | 120 | 136 | 12 |
 Canberra Raiders | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 302 | 108 | 194 | 10 |
 Canterbury Bulldogs | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 218 | 121 | 97 | 8 |
Pool B
| Club | Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | For | Against | Diff. | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunter Mariners | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 226 | 50 | 176 | 12 |
 North Queensland Cowboys | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 228 | 92 | 136 | 10 |
 Adelaide Rams | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 170 | 68 | 102 | 8 |
 Perth Reds | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 148 | 104 | 44 | 8 |
Super League
Pool A
| Club | Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | For | Against | Diff. | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Wigan Warriors | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 89 | 212 | -123 | 4 |
 London Broncos | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 136 | 238 | -102 | 2 |
 Bradford Bulls | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 82 | 228 | -146 | 0 |
 St Helens R.F.C. | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 96 | 270 | -174 | 0 |
 Warrington Wolves | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 78 | 256 | -178 | 0 |
 Halifax Blue Sox | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 56 | 340 | -284 | 0 |
Pool B
| Club | Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | Bye | For | Against | Diff. | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Paris Saint-Germain | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 48 | 90 | -42 | 2 |
 Leeds Rhinos | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 64 | 138 | -74 | 2 |
 Oldham Bears | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 52 | 130 | -78 | 2 |
 Salford City Reds | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 44 | 130 | -86 | 2 |
 Sheffield Eagles | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 54 | 168 | -114 | 2 |
 Castleford Tigers | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 52 | 116 | -64 | 0 |
Matches
Round 1
| 6 June 1997 | ||||
| Brisbane Broncos | 42 – 22 | London Broncos | ANZ Stadium, Brisbane | Attendance: 18,193 |
| St. Helens | 14 – 42 | Auckland Warriors | Knowsley Road, St. Helens | Attendance: 8,911 |
| 7 June 1997 | ||||
| North Queensland Cowboys | 42 – 20 | Leeds Rhinos | Stockland Stadium, Townsville | Attendance: 14,561 |
| 8 June 1997 | ||||
| Adelaide Rams | 50 – 8 | Salford City Reds | Adelaide Oval, Adelaide | Attendance: 11,346 |
| Canberra Raiders | 70 – 6 | Halifax Blue Sox | Bruce Stadium, Canberra | Attendance: 7,780 |
| Paris St-Germain | 12 – 28 | Hunter Mariners | Charlety Stadium, Paris | Attendance: 3,500 |
| Castleford Tigers | 16 – 24 | Perth Reds | Wheldon Road, Castleford | Attendance: 3,590 |
| Warrington Wolves | 12 - 40 | Cronulla Sharks | Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington | Attendance: 3,378 |
| 9 June 1997 | ||||
| Canterbury Bulldogs | 18 – 22 | Wigan Warriors | Belmore Sports Ground, Sydney | Attendance: 10,680 |
| Bradford Bulls | 16 – 20 | Penrith Panthers | Odsal Stadium, Bradford | Attendance: 14,378 |
Round 2
| 13 June 1997 | ||||
| Adelaide Rams | 34 – 8 | Leeds Rhinos | Adelaide Oval, Adelaide | Attendance: 14,630 |
| Castleford Tigers | 12 – 42 | Hunter Mariners | Wheldon Road, Castleford | Attendance: 3,087 |
| 14 June 1997 | ||||
| North Queensland Cowboys | 54 – 16 | Oldham Bears | Stockland Stadium, Townsville | Attendance: 12,631 |
| Bradford Bulls | 16 – 20 | Auckland Warriors | Odsal Stadium, Bradford | Attendance: 13,133 |
| 15 June 1997 | ||||
| Canterbury Bulldogs | 58 – 6 | Halifax Blue Sox | Belmore Sports Ground, Sydney | Attendance: 5,034 |
| Canberra Raiders | 66 – 20 | London Broncos | Bruce Stadium, Canberra | Attendance: 6,471 |
| Sheffield Eagles | 26 – 22 | Perth Reds | Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield | Attendance: 3,000 |
| Warrington Wolves | 22 – 52 | Penrith Panthers | Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington | Attendance: 3,850 |
| 16 June 1997 | ||||
| Brisbane Broncos | 34 – 0 | Wigan Warriors | ANZ Stadium, Brisbane | Attendance: 14,833 |
| St Helens | 8 - 48 | Cronulla Sharks | Knowsley Road,St Helens | Attendance:8,039 |
Round 3
| 20 June 1997 | ||||
| Adelaide Rams | 42 – 14 | Oldham Bears | Adelaide Rams, Adelaide | Attendance: 13,852 |
| Bradford Bulls | 10 – 30 | Cronulla Sharks | Odsal Stadium, Bradford | Attendance: 10,756 |
| 21 June 1997 | ||||
| North Queensland Cowboys | 44 – 8 | Salford City Reds | Stockland Stadium, Townsville | Attendance: 15,508 |
| Paris St-Germain | 24 – 0 | Perth Reds | Charlety Stadium, Paris | Attendance: 2,500 |
| 22 June 1997 | ||||
| Brisbane Broncos | 76 – 0 | Halifax Blue Sox | ANZ Stadium, Brisbane | Attendance: 11,358 |
| Canberra Raiders | 56 – 22 | Wigan Warriors | Bruce Stadium, Canberra | Attendance: 9,098 |
| Canterbury Bulldogs | 34 – 18 | London Broncos | Belmore Sports Ground, Sydney | Attendance: 4,000 |
| 23 June 1997 | ||||
| Warrington Wolves | 28 – 56 | Auckland Warriors | Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington | Attendance: 4,428 |
| Sheffield Eagles | 4 – 40 | Hunter Mariners | Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield | Attendance: 2,500 |
Round 4
| 18 July 1997 | ||||
| Penrith Panthers | 48 – 12 | Warrington Wolves | Penrith Football Stadium, Penrith | Attendance: 5,642 |
| Leeds Rhinos | 22 – 14 | Adelaide Rams | Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds | Attendance: 11,269 |
| Oldham Bears | 20 – 16 | North Queensland Cowboys | Boundary Park, Oldham | Attendance: 2,961 |
| 19 July 1997 | ||||
| Perth Reds | 48 – 12 | Sheffield Eagles | WACA Ground, Perth | Attendance: 7,429 |
| 20 July 1997 | ||||
| Auckland Warriors | 64 – 14 | Bradford Bulls | Ericsson Stadium, Auckland | Attendance: 13,000 |
| Hunter Mariners | 26 – 8 | Castleford Tigers | Topper Stadium, Newcastle | Attendance: 3,379 |
| Halifax Blue Sox | 22 – 40 | Canterbury Bulldogs | Thrum Hall, Halifax | Attendance: 3,500 |
| Wigan Warriors | 4 – 30 | Brisbane Broncos | Central Park, Wigan | Attendance: 12,816 |
| 21 July 1997 | ||||
| Cronulla Sharks | 28 – 12 | St. Helens | Shark Park, Sydney | Attendance: 7,751 |
| London Broncos | 38 – 18 | Canberra Raiders | The Stoop, London | Attendance: 7,819 |
Round 5
| 25 July 1997 | ||||
| Auckland Warriors | 70 – 6 | St. Helens | Ericsson Stadium, Auckland | Attendance: 8,500 |
| Oldham Bears | 2 – 18 | Adelaide Rams | Boundary Park, Oldham | Attendance: 3,315 |
| 26 July 1997 | ||||
| Cronulla Sharks | 44 – 0 | Warrington Wolves | Shark Park, Sydney | Attendance: 6,112 |
| 27 July 1997 | ||||
| Hunter Mariners | 32 – 0 | Paris St-Germain | Topper Stadium, Newcastle | Attendance: 2,210 |
| Perth Reds | 24 – 14 | Castleford Tigers | WACA Ground, Perth | Attendance: 6,114 |
| London Broncos | 16 – 34 | Brisbane Broncos | The Stoop, London | Attendance: 9,846 |
| Salford City Reds | 14 – 24 | North Queensland Cowboys | The Willows, Salford | Attendance: 7,448 |
| Halifax Blue Sox | 12 – 42 | Canberra Raiders | Thrum Hall, Halifax | Attendance: 3,620 |
| 28 July 1997 | ||||
| Penrith Panthers | 54 – 14 | Bradford Bulls | Penrith Football Stadium, Penrith | Attendance: 5,332 |
| Wigan Warriors | 31 – 24 | Canterbury Bulldogs | Central Park, Wigan | Attendance: 10,280 |
Round 6
| 1 August 1997 | ||||
| Perth Reds | 18 – 8 | Paris St-Germain | WACA Ground, Perth | Attendance: 5,160 |
| London Broncos | 22 – 44 | Canterbury Bulldogs | The Stoop, London | Attendance: 6,923 |
| 2 August 1997 | ||||
| Cronulla Sharks | 40 – 12 | Bradford Bulls | Shark Park, Sydney | Attendance: 8,272 |
| 3 August 1997 | ||||
| Auckland Warriors | 16 – 4 | Warrington Wolves | Lancaster Park, Christchurch | Attendance: 6,500 |
| Hunter Mariners | 58 – 12 | Sheffield Eagles | Topper Stadium, Newcastle | Attendance: 1,965 |
| Leeds Rhinos | 14 – 48 | North Queensland Cowboys | Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds | Attendance: 12,224 |
| Salford City Reds | 14 – 12 | Adelaide Rams | The Willows, Salford | Attendance: 6,995 |
| Wigan Warriors | 10 – 50 | Canberra Raiders | Central Park, Wigan | Attendance: 12,504 |
| 4 August 1997 | ||||
| Penrith Panthers | 32 – 26 | St. Helens | Penrith Football Stadium, Penrith | Attendance: 5,000 |
| Halifax Blue Sox | 10 – 54 | Brisbane Broncos | Thrum Hall, Halifax | Attendance: 3,255 |
Playoffs
| 20 August 1997 | ||||
| St. Helens | 42 – 4 | Paris St-Germain | Knowsley Road, St. Helens | Attendance: - |
Quarter-finals
| 3 October 1997 | ||||
| Auckland Warriors | 62 – 14 | Bradford Bulls | Ericsson Stadium, Auckland | Attendance: 9,553 |
| Wigan Warriors | 18 – 22 | Hunter Mariners | Central Park, Wigan | Attendance: 9,553 |
| 4 October 1997 | ||||
| Brisbane Broncos | 66 – 12 | St. Helens | ANZ Stadium, Brisbane | Attendance: 6,438 |
| 6 October 1997 | ||||
| London Broncos | 16 – 40 | Cronulla Sharks | The Stoop, London | Attendance: 6,239 |
Semi-finals
| 10 October 1997 | ||||
| Brisbane Broncos | 22 – 16 | Auckland Warriors | ANZ Stadium, Brisbane | Attendance: 9,686 |
| 11 October 1997 | ||||
| Cronulla Sharks | 18 – 22 | Hunter Mariners | Shark Park, Sydney | Attendance: 5,214 |
Final
In their only year of existence, this would be the only Final that the Hunter Mariners would appear in.
| 1997 World Club Championship Final | |||||||||||||
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| Date | 18 October 1997 | ||||||||||||
| Stadium | Ericsson Stadium | ||||||||||||
| Location | Auckland, New Zealand | ||||||||||||
| Referees | Graham Annesley .svg.png.webp){kind=small} | ||||||||||||
| Attendance | 10,300 | ||||||||||||
| Broadcast partners | |||||||||||||
| Broadcasters | |||||||||||||
| Commentators | |||||||||||||
Teams
         Brisbane Broncos
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  Hunter Mariners
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Match Details
Friday 17 October |
| Brisbane Broncos |
36 – 12 | Hunter Mariners |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Darren Smith (3) John Plath Steve Renouf Wendell Sailor Kevin Walters Goals: Michael De Vere (3) Ben Walker (1) |
[2] | Tries: Nick Zisti (2) John Carlaw Goals: |
Aftermath
The dominance of the Australasian sides in the competition led to the Rugby Football League appointing Joe Lydon to head a commission to provide an explanation.[3] The general conclusion was that the Australian sides were no more skillful than the European teams, the main difference as it had been in international football since the late 1970s, was fitness, something that they were working on by the time of the season ending Super League Test series between the Super League Australians and the Great Britain Lions in England in November.
See also
References
- Hadfield, Dave (16 October 1997). "The short but amazing life of Hunter Mariners". The Independent. independent.co.uk. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
- 1997 WCC Final - Brisbane vs Hunter
- Robinson, John (1997). Super League Official Annual 1998. World International. p. 42. ISBN 0-7498-3389-0.
External links
- "Global show hits Knowsley Road" - article by Dave Hadfield at The Independent (London), June 6, 1997
- 1997 World Club Challenge at hunterlink.net.au
- "World Club Championship Final - Broncos' early burst" - article by Dave Hadfield at The Independent (London), Oct 18, 1997
- 1997 World Club Challenge at superleague.co.uk
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