Thursday 18 February 2016 12:45, UK
Look back on six classic clashes delivered by the World Club Challenge over the years as we build up to this weekend's games.
The World Club Series is nearly here and three enticing games lie ahead this week. The NRL teams taught their English counterparts a lesson last year by taking the spoils in all three games, but can the Super League boys hit back in 2016?
We look back at six classic games from the Super League era to get you in the mood…
When the concept of the World Club Challenge was re-introduced in 2000, St Helens were first to take up the English baton. But they were humiliated by Melbourne Storm, losing 44-6. Roll on a year, with the Saints defending Super League champions again, and revenge was on the menu.
As it turns out, it's a dish best served up cold. Brisbane felt the wrath of St Helens in a tense game played out at Bolton's Reebok Stadium. The star-studded Broncos, coached, as they are now, by Wayne Bennett, included Darren Lockyer, Lote Tuqiri, Wendell Sailor, Shane Webcke and Petero Civoniceva. Star names then, but they couldn't handle Ian Millward's men.
The Broncos did take the lead, Shaun Berrigan burrowing over from dummy half before St Helens replied through Paul Sculthorpe. But it looked bleak for the fans in the Red Vee, Phillip Lee crossing before half time and Brad Meyers after the break to put Brisbane 18-6 up.
But back came Saints, first through Sean Long, then skipper Chris Joynt. And drop goals from Long and Sculthorpe sealed a nail-biting 20-18 win, ensuring Saints were the first English team to get their hands on the trophy in its new format.
Leeds' first Old Trafford victory in 2004 meant a first World Club Challenge would follow in 2005, and off to Elland Road they went to face the Canterbury Bulldogs.
There were plenty of comments coming from the Australian camp before about not taking things too seriously, but Steve Folkes still fielded a team featuring kicking machine Hazem El Masri, Kiwi enforcer Roy Asotasi and an 18-year-old Sonny Bill Williams. What followed was a stunning game of rugby league.
Sonny Bill left his mark with a shuddering hit on Leeds winger Marcus Bai, but Leeds hit back on the scoreboard, powering to a 20-point lead by half-time thanks to five first-half tries through Chev Walker, Mark Calderwood, Danny McGuire, Willie Poaching and Rob Burrow.
Tries after the break from Richie Mathers and Jamie Jones-Buchanan followed as Leeds seemingly eased towards the trophy, but then the Bulldogs woke up.
Four unanswered tries from Jamaal Lolesi (2), El Masri and Tony Grimaldi threatened an incredible comeback, but Kevin Sinfield put paid to that, dropping a goal to seal a seven-point win.
Another World Club Challenge for St Helens, and another classic against the Brisbane Broncos. And it meant even more for Daniel Anderson's side as they completed a clean sweep of trophies to add the title of World Champions to their treble already completed in 2006.
It was a close affair though, and the Broncos were well prepared too, arriving two weeks early and even playing a warm-up match. And they looked sharp early on, Corey Parker's try and two goals giving them an 8-0 lead.
But returning Saints skipper Paul Sculthorpe came off the bench and took control of the game, slotting a tremendous touchline conversion after Ade Gardner's try to give his side a lift before the break. But the Saints dream looked over two minutes after half-time, Darius Boyd racing onto Darren Lockyer's kick to touch down. But Sculthorpe and Saints weren't beaten yet.
The captain ran onto a flat pass from Keiron Cunningham to crash over by the posts to put Saints back in it. And they soon led, Sean Long's steepling bomb claimed by Gardner for his second. Sculthorpe banged over the extras and St Helens held on for a famous win.
Bradford's win over the Newcastle Knights in 2002 had raised a few questions over how seriously the Aussies were taking the World Club Challenge, but those questions marks were erased by a dominant Roosters side that came to the Reebok Stadium intent on one thing - destroying St Helens. And they certainly managed that.
Three early penalties settled Australian nerves before they cut loose, Craig Fitzgibbon and Adrian Morley, the Englishman starring Down Under, both scoring to make it 18-0 at half-time. And the pounding continued after the break.
A controversial score from Todd Byrne really dampened St Helens' spirits before Brad Fittler rubbed salt into the wounds with an interception try. And when Todd Payten crossed late on, the Roosters could crow over a stunning 38-0 win.
Leeds were unbeaten in two World Club Challenge appearances but they were taught a lesson when Manly arrived at Elland Road to try and break the Rhinos' resistance. Leeds were aiming to become the first side to retain the trophy but the game started with more brawn than brilliance as Jamie Peacock and Josh Perry were both shown yellow cards for their part in a mass brawl.
From the resulting penalty, the Sea Eagles grabbed the first try through Brett Stewart, and when Matt Orford sent over Anthony Watmough, things looked bleak for the Rhinos. But they hit back thanks to a scrappy try from Jamie Jones-Buchanan.
That fightback was short-lived though, as Manly cut loose after the break. Both Stewart and Watmough went over for their second tries before Steve Matai crossed out wide.
A hammering looked on the cards, but Leeds showed plenty of courage in getting close; Keith Senior, Ryan Hall and Danny McGuire all crossing the whitewash to cut the gap.
However, Leeds could not add to their tally as the Sea Eagles held on for Australia's first World Club Challenge victory since 2003.
In the first season of the new format, the NRL struck early blows with St George Illawarra beating Warrington and Brisbane edging Wigan. That left St Helens to try to restore English pride with a victory in the big one. But with the title of World Champions at stake, the Saints were embarrassed once again by a Sydney outfit.
Sam Burgess may have already left for Union, but his former Rabbitohs teammates showed why they ruled the NRL in 2014 early on, with Glenn Stewart crossing inside two minutes - and the game was over by half time; Dylan Walker, Greg Inglis and Joel Reddy all crossing before the break.
Luke Keary and Chris McQueen touched down after the interval, with Reddy also going over for a second. Then to rub things in, Adam Reynolds slotted a late drop goal to ensure the Rabbitohs inflicted a record World Club Challenge defeat on St Helens.
Will the Super League teams win the series in 2016? Comment below or Tweet us @SkySportsRL.
