2013 World Club Challenge

The 2013 World Club Challenge (PROBIZ World Club Challenge for sponsorship purposes) was the fourteenth consecutive annual World Club Challenge and was contested by Super League XVII champions, Leeds Rhinos and 2012 NRL Premiers, the Melbourne Storm. It took place on Friday 22 February at 8pm GMT (Saturday 23 February 7:00am AEDST). Melbourne prevailed after a hard-fought contest 18-14.[2]

2013 (2013) World Club Challenge  ()
Leeds Rhinos Melbourne Storm
(Super League) (National Rugby League)
14 18
12 Total
LEE 86 14
MEL 810 18
Date22 February 2013
StadiumHeadingley Rugby Stadium
LocationLeeds, England[1]
Cooper Cronk (Melbourne Storm)
RefereesBen Thaler
Attendance20,400
Broadcast partners
Broadcasters
Commentators

Background

2013's match was third time ever that these two clubs have played each other, with Leeds having won the 2008 World Club Challenge, and Melbourne winning, and subsequently being stripped of, the 2010 World Club Challenge title.

On 19 February the World Club Challenge was officially announced as a sellout with all 20,400 tickets sold.[3] In addition the referees for the match were also announced, with Ben Thaler to take charge of the game.[4]

Leeds Rhinos
Further information: 2012 Super League Grand Final

Leeds finished Super League XVII's regular season in 5th place and went on to defeat 2nd-placed Warrington Wolves 26-18 in the grand final, qualifying the Rhinos for their second World Club Challenge in succession and 6th overall.

Melbourne Storm
Further information: 2012 NRL Grand Final

The Storm finished the 2012 NRL season in 2nd place and went on to defeat the 1st-placed Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 14 - 4 in the grand final, qualifying Melbourne for their fourth World Club Challenge, and first since 2010.

The Storm unveiled their special one-off jersey designed especially for the World Cup Challenge in December 2012[5] The design resembles the club’s away jersey with its predominantly white body but also includes the iconic purple V' that continues to represent the club’s Victorian heritage.

On 10 February 2013, the Melbourne Storm announced the 21-man Squad that will make the trip to London for the World Club Challenge,[6] the team is as follows: Kenny Bromwich, Jesse Bromwich, Will Chambers, Cooper Cronk, Brett Finch, Mahe Fonua, Ben Hampton, Tohu Harris, Ryan Hinchcliffe, Ryan Hoffman, Junior Moors, Bryan Norrie, Justin O’Neill, Jason Ryles, Junior Sa’u, Lagi Setu, Billy Slater, Cameron Smith (capt), Siosaia Vave, Sisa Waqa, Gareth Widdop.

On 20 February 2013 the above squad was trimmed to 19 players[7] with the official announcement of the team. Two interchange players were further cut when the final team was announced on the Friday before the game, final teams listed below.

Teams
2013 World Club Challenge Teams
Leeds Rhinos Posit. Melbourne Storm
3. Kallum Watkins Fullback 1. Billy Slater
25. Joe Vickery Winger 2. Mahe Fonua
12. Carl Ablett Centre 3. Justin O'Neill
4. Joel Moon Centre 4. Will Chambers
5. Ryan Hall Winger 5. Sisa Waqa
13. Kevin Sinfield (c) Stand Off / Five-eighth 6. Gareth Widdop
6. Danny McGuire Scrum Half / Halfback 7. Cooper Cronk
8. Kylie Leuluai Prop 8. Jesse Bromwich
7. Rob Burrow Hooker 9. Cameron Smith (c)
10. Jamie Peacock Prop 10. Bryan Norrie
14. Stevie Ward 2nd Row 11. Tohu Harris
15. Brett Delaney 2nd Row 12. Ryan Hoffman
11. Jamie Jones-Buchanan Loose Forward / Lock 13. Ryan Hinchcliffe
9. Paul McShane Interchange 15. Jason Ryles
17. Ian Kirke Interchange 16. Siosaia Vave
18. Chris Clarkson Interchange 17. Junior Moors
19. Mitch Achurch Interchange 18. Lagi Setu
Brian McDermott Coach Craig Bellamy

Match details
22 February 2013
20:00
Leeds Rhinos 14 – 18 Melbourne Storm
Tries:
Ryan Hall
Jamie Jones-Buchanan

Goals:
Kevin Sinfield (3/3)		 (Report) Tries:
Billy Slater
Jesse Bromwich
Tohu Harris
Goals:
Cameron Smith (3/4)
Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds
Attendance: 20,400
Referee: Ben Thaler
Man of the Match: Cooper Cronk [8]

First half

The match was a close, hard-fought contest throughout. A slick pass from half back, Cooper Cronk led to fullback Billy Slater scoring the opening try of the match in the 20th minute. Cameron Smith kicked the conversion, making the score 6-0. A penalty goal soon after, extended the lead to 8-0. A last-tackle attacking raid in the 29th minute put Leeds winger Ryan Hall over in the left corner. Kevin Sinfield converted the goal and soon added another penalty goal to tie the game at 8-8 at half time.[9]

Second half

Storm prop Jesse Bromwich trundled up the ball in the 44th minute and beat four defenders to score a try next to the posts, with Smith converting, to lead the game 14-8. A 50-metre movement finished with Tohu Harris racing into the clear, passing to Will Chambers with winger Sisa Waqa hemmed in by defence on the right side. Waqa found Chambers in support and the rookie Harris dived over for the try of the match. Down 18-8, Leeds captain, Sinfield kicked to the left, Ryan Hall claimed the ball and passed to Joel Moon. The centre then passed infield to second rower Jamie Jones-Buchanan who scored. With 10 minutes left, the Storm appeared to have wrapped up victory when winger Mahe Fonua scored, but referee Ben Thaler ruled forward the final pass from centre Justin O'Neill. Leeds repeatedly attacked Storm's forward line in the final minutes, but failed to capitalise, with Storm winning a close contest 18-14. Storm half back, Cooper Cronk was awarded the Man of the Match.[10]

References
  1. "BBC Sport - Leeds Rhinos: Headingley to host World Club Challenge". Bbc.co.uk. 16 November 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  2. "Leeds Rhinos 14-18 Melbourne Storm". BBC Sport. 22 February 2013. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
  3. "World Club Challenge sells out". Superleague.co.uk. 19 February 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  4. "Thaler to take charge of World Club Challenge". Superleague.co.uk. 19 February 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  5. "World Club Challenge Jersey released". Melbourne Storm. 19 December 2012. Archived from the original on 6 March 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  6. "Storm select strong squad". Superleague.co.uk. 10 February 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  7. "Storm name strong team for PROBIZ World Club Challenge". Superleague.co.uk. 20 February 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  8. Mascord, Steve (23 February 2016). "Harris repays dad's dedication". The Age. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  9. "Leeds Rhinos 14-18 Melbourne Storm: match report". The Daily Telegraph. 22 February 2013. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
  10. "Melbourne Storm hold off Leeds to claim World Club Challenge crown". The Guardian. 22 February 2013. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
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