Monday 13 February 2017 17:36, UK
Prop Mike Cooper refuses to accept there is a big gulf between Super League teams and NRL sides as Warrington Wolves prepare to entertain Brisbane Broncos this weekend.
The Broncos visit the Halliwell Jones Stadium to take on League Leaders' Shield winners Warrington, live on Sky Sports 2 on Saturday night, in the first match of the two-game Dacia World Club Series.
Cooper spent two years with NRL outfit St George Illawarra Dragons before returning to hometown club Warrington, and the 28-year-old says the Wolves have the personnel to give the Broncos a stern test this weekend.
"I've played in both competitions, but whether we are closing the gap or not, I think it's two different games," Cooper told Sky Sports News HQ.
"The speed of the game is a little quicker in Australia at times but skill-wise I don't think there is any difference at all.
"We're a lot more attacking in Super League compared to the NRL, which can be a little more defensive and completion-based, but I don't think there is a big difference between the two teams at all.
"We have a lot of world-class players, a lot of players with big-game experience, so it won't be a mental challenge for us."
Broncos have played and beaten Wigan in the last two years of the World Club Series but prop Josh Maguire is taking nothing for granted ahead of their visit to Cheshire on Saturday.
"It's obviously a change of scene for us after coming up against Wigan in the last two years, but it's a good opportunity for us to play a classy outfit like Warrington," he said.
"We know that the fans up there love their rugby and we're very excited about going up there to play the game.
"It's always a competitive game. It's always a game based on pride rather than results for us. We know that they want to play a big game and set an example against us and we're expecting a very physical encounter."
