Rhinos Win The World Club Challenge

Leeds Rhinos became the first British team since 2008 to win the World Club Challenge with a magnificent 26-12 victory over Australian Champions the Manly Sea Eagles at Headingley last night.

Hall crossing for a try 

A performance of class, passion and dedication earned the Rhinos the crown. Two stunning tries by Leeds winger Ryan Hall (left), one of which he ran the length of the field, made for a terrific night witnessed by a crowd over 21,000.

Leeds came out firing in the first half and went in at the break with a 16-6 lead after tries from Hall (2) and Kallum Watkins. Brett Steward crossed for the Sea-eagles. However the second half was a very different affair. Manly dominated for long period and put Leeds under significant pressure. Leeds' defence was asked questioned, although they had the answers time after time lead by their leader and captain Jamie Peacock who produced a terrific performance.

However Leeds' discipline in the second half was poor as they gave away penalty after penalty and Manly broke through with a try from Daly Cherry-Evans. The score was now 16-12. It seemed now it would be one-way traffic all the way to the end. Leeds' got lucky in periods with the video referees disallowing a Manly try by Steve Matai in the second half for an obstruction on Leeds centre Kallum Watkins. It started to feel as if it was going to be Leeds' night. You can see it on the Manly players faces and they were beat when Rob Burrow broke the tiring Manly defensive line to set up Jamie Jones-Bishop to score in the corner. That was the game. Right at the end Carl Ablett got on the end of a Kevin Sinfield grubber to ensure the victory by a 14 point margin.

This was Leeds third World Club Challenge triumph equally Bardford and Wigan's tally. It was an awesome atmosphere at Headingley and one that I think drove the players on to victory. You could argue that due to it being early season for Manly were rusty but then showed Leeds' could only beat the team put in front of them which they did.

Leeds and Coach Brian McDermott will now be hoping for a successful year and he must be eyeing both Challenge Cup success, after being beaten finalists last year, and retaining the Super League crown however the competition will be as fierce as ever.