Leeds v Melbourne: Teams
Leeds will have to do without second-rower Ian Kirke when they take on Melbourne on Friday night, live on Sky Sports.
Last Updated: 28/02/08 5:18pm
Leeds Rhinos will be looking to continue Super League's dominance in the World Club Challenge when they take on Melbourne Storm, live on Sky Sports.
England has not been a happy hunting ground for NRL champions in recent years, with the trophy being lifted by home teams on six of the past seven occasions.
The Rhinos themselves have enjoyed success over opponents from Down Under, beating Canterbury Raiders 39-32 at Elland Road in 2005.
That result came at the same venue as Friday night's match and eight of the squad that played three years ago will be in action again.
The match offers an early chance for new Leeds coach Brian McClennan to lift a piece of silverware after taking over from Tony Smith, who steered the team to Grand Final glory last October.
Only Ian Kirke is missing from the line-up that was on duty that night at Old Trafford. The second-rower has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Nick Scruton comes in to take his place amongst the replacements, with McClennan left to choose between Carl Ablett and Ryan Hall for the final place on the bench.
Fresh Storm
In contrast, Melbourne will field a much-changed side from the one that defeated Manly Sea Eagles in last year's NRL final.
Matt King and Clint Newton have joined Warrington and Hull KR respectively while several other key players have not made the trip.
Skipper Cameron Smith, voted world player of the year in 2007, has stayed at home to be with his pregnant partner.
Greg Inglis is also absent as he recovers from shoulder surgery in the off-season. His number six shirt will be worn by Russell Aitken, who has made just one senior appearance for the Storm.
Coach Craig Bellamy cannot call upon experienced forward Michael Crocker either, though there is still plenty of talent in the visitors' ranks.
Centre Israel Folau is the latest star name to emerge from Australia, the 18-year-old centre making an instant impact when he scored 21 tries in his debut season last year.
He then followed that up making his international bow with the Kangaroos, becoming the youngest capped player in the history of the country.
Folau marked the momentous occasion with two tries to help the Australians record a record 58-0 triumph over New Zealand.
A total of 11 of the Grand-Final winning squad will be in action against Leeds, with Cooper Cronk named as stand-in skipper.
Leeds Rhinos: B Webb; L Smith, C Toopi, K Senior, S Donald; D McGuire, R Burrow; K Leuluai, M Diskin, J Peacock, J Jones-Buchanan, G Ellis, K Sinfield (capt)
Replacements (from): A Lauitiiti, R Bailey, N Scruton, C Ablett, R Hall
Melbourne Storm: B Slater; S Turner, W Chambers, I Folau, A Quinn; R Aitken, C Cronk (capt); J Lima, M Geyer, B White, J Smith, R Hoffman, D Johnson.
Replacements (from): A Kaufusi, A Blair, S Tagataese, S Manu, B MacDougall, A Tolman