Lord Gnome of Howick MBE
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2016 World Club Series: Super League vs NRL
By Ryan Calder
In the 2015 World Club Series, Australian sides ruled the roost. St George, Brisbane and South Sydney arrived in England mid-February and turned over our three best teams at the time. It was tough to watch as an Englishman, but will the upcoming series be any different?
The first game of the series will take place at Langtree Park, the scene of the Rabbitohs demolition of St Helens last year. This time, the Saints will be entertaining the Sydney Roosters, and the task ahead looks no easier.
In a team filled with State of Origin and international stars, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Boyd Cordner stand out as, arguably, the Roosters biggest forwards threat. Dylan Napa's tireless work rate will undoubtedly provide Saints with a handful as the 2015 NRL Minor Premiers will look to repeat their 2004 World Club Challenge success. Joe Burgess could also feature in his first return to England as a Rooster.
We cannot, however, forget the threats that St Helens pose. Despite the loss of human wrecking ball Mose Masoe, 2014's Super League champions still have a monster pack, in particular, Alex Walmsley and Kyle Amor. Tommy Makinson's return from injury should also provide Saints with a bit of flair out wide.
The worry I have for St Helens is that this team is not too dissimilar to the one that was dismantled in the previous World Club Series. My prediction is a Roosters win.
Next up, a repeat of the clash between Wigan and Brisbane. In the previous encounter Wigan were so close to an impressive win, only for the Broncos to snatch it in extra-time.
Brisbane's match winner that day, Corey Parker, was voted as last season's Representative Player of the Year in Australia, thanks to his performances in Queensland's Origin victory over New South Wales.
The Broncos squad holds bags of experience with leaders such as Sam Thaiday, Adam Blair and Darius Boyd all aiming to replicate last season's win over the Warriors. Kodi Nikorima is another player Shaun Wane's men will have to keep quiet as he was awarded Brisbane's Rookie of the Year award for 2015, shortly before going on to impress in New Zealand's recent test series loss to England.
The loss of the club's 2015 top try scorer, Joe Burgess, will undoubtedly be a blow to the Warriors, nonetheless, the squad to face Brisbane will still be a strong one. Wigan's physicality stands out with Michael McIlorum and John Bateman amongst the players likely to get under the skin of Wayne Bennett's side. Super League's Young Player of the Year for last season, George Williams, will also look to catch Brisbane out with his improvised style of play.
The way this Wigan squad has developed over the past year, combined with their ability to grind out good performances in big matches, I think they could be the first Super League team to defeat NRL opposition since 2012.
Last but most certainly not least is the World Club Challenge. Leeds host North Queensland to determine which side is the world's best.
It is impossible to talk about the Cowboys without mentioning 2015's Dally M Medal winner, NRL Fans' Player of the Year, NRL Captain of the Year (shared with Matt Scott), half-back of the Year, NRL Grand Final Man of the Match and Golden Boot award winner, aka Jonathan Thurston. If Leeds can shut him down, they will instantly be half way towards succeeding as World Club Champions. The 32-year-old controls the Cowboys attack and his kicking game can simply tear a team apart.
Hooker and fellow playmaker, Jake Granville, will arrive in England coming off his best season as a professional. Voted as the club's Player's Player of the Year last season, Granville will look to repeat his successes of 2015 and allow North Queensland to dominate in the forwards department, as well as providing a dangerous attacking option close to the opponents try line.
It's tough to assess Leeds' squad situation after the departures of Kevin Sinfield, Jamie Peacock and Kylie Leuluai.
Super League's Man of Steel, Zak Hardaker, will be tasked with returning Thurston's inch-perfect kicks, as well as looking to be one of the Rhinos' main attacking assets. Last season's high-achiever, Adam Cuthbertson, will be key in laying the foundations for new hooker Beau Falloon as he will aim to impress the Headingley crowd. A lot will also fall on the shoulders of Danny McGuire as he will attempt to push on from where Sinfield and co left off.
Leeds' squad is very good and will no doubt cause trouble for teams domestically, but for me, this game may be a bridge too far so early into life without Sinfield, Peacock and Leuluai.
2016 World Club Series: Super League vs NRL
By Ryan Calder
In the 2015 World Club Series, Australian sides ruled the roost. St George, Brisbane and South Sydney arrived in England mid-February and turned over our three best teams at the time. It was tough to watch as an Englishman, but will the upcoming series be any different?
The first game of the series will take place at Langtree Park, the scene of the Rabbitohs demolition of St Helens last year. This time, the Saints will be entertaining the Sydney Roosters, and the task ahead looks no easier.
In a team filled with State of Origin and international stars, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Boyd Cordner stand out as, arguably, the Roosters biggest forwards threat. Dylan Napa's tireless work rate will undoubtedly provide Saints with a handful as the 2015 NRL Minor Premiers will look to repeat their 2004 World Club Challenge success. Joe Burgess could also feature in his first return to England as a Rooster.
We cannot, however, forget the threats that St Helens pose. Despite the loss of human wrecking ball Mose Masoe, 2014's Super League champions still have a monster pack, in particular, Alex Walmsley and Kyle Amor. Tommy Makinson's return from injury should also provide Saints with a bit of flair out wide.
The worry I have for St Helens is that this team is not too dissimilar to the one that was dismantled in the previous World Club Series. My prediction is a Roosters win.
Next up, a repeat of the clash between Wigan and Brisbane. In the previous encounter Wigan were so close to an impressive win, only for the Broncos to snatch it in extra-time.
Brisbane's match winner that day, Corey Parker, was voted as last season's Representative Player of the Year in Australia, thanks to his performances in Queensland's Origin victory over New South Wales.
The Broncos squad holds bags of experience with leaders such as Sam Thaiday, Adam Blair and Darius Boyd all aiming to replicate last season's win over the Warriors. Kodi Nikorima is another player Shaun Wane's men will have to keep quiet as he was awarded Brisbane's Rookie of the Year award for 2015, shortly before going on to impress in New Zealand's recent test series loss to England.
The loss of the club's 2015 top try scorer, Joe Burgess, will undoubtedly be a blow to the Warriors, nonetheless, the squad to face Brisbane will still be a strong one. Wigan's physicality stands out with Michael McIlorum and John Bateman amongst the players likely to get under the skin of Wayne Bennett's side. Super League's Young Player of the Year for last season, George Williams, will also look to catch Brisbane out with his improvised style of play.
The way this Wigan squad has developed over the past year, combined with their ability to grind out good performances in big matches, I think they could be the first Super League team to defeat NRL opposition since 2012.
Last but most certainly not least is the World Club Challenge. Leeds host North Queensland to determine which side is the world's best.
It is impossible to talk about the Cowboys without mentioning 2015's Dally M Medal winner, NRL Fans' Player of the Year, NRL Captain of the Year (shared with Matt Scott), half-back of the Year, NRL Grand Final Man of the Match and Golden Boot award winner, aka Jonathan Thurston. If Leeds can shut him down, they will instantly be half way towards succeeding as World Club Champions. The 32-year-old controls the Cowboys attack and his kicking game can simply tear a team apart.
Hooker and fellow playmaker, Jake Granville, will arrive in England coming off his best season as a professional. Voted as the club's Player's Player of the Year last season, Granville will look to repeat his successes of 2015 and allow North Queensland to dominate in the forwards department, as well as providing a dangerous attacking option close to the opponents try line.
It's tough to assess Leeds' squad situation after the departures of Kevin Sinfield, Jamie Peacock and Kylie Leuluai.
Super League's Man of Steel, Zak Hardaker, will be tasked with returning Thurston's inch-perfect kicks, as well as looking to be one of the Rhinos' main attacking assets. Last season's high-achiever, Adam Cuthbertson, will be key in laying the foundations for new hooker Beau Falloon as he will aim to impress the Headingley crowd. A lot will also fall on the shoulders of Danny McGuire as he will attempt to push on from where Sinfield and co left off.
Leeds' squad is very good and will no doubt cause trouble for teams domestically, but for me, this game may be a bridge too far so early into life without Sinfield, Peacock and Leuluai.
