2016 World Club Series

The 2016 World Club Series (also known as the 2016 Dacia World Club Series due to sponsorship by Dacia) was the second edition of the World Club Series and saw three Super League teams and three National Rugby League (NRL) teams participate. The series included the World Club Challenge, a one-off match between the champions of the Super League and NRL.

2016 Dacia World Club Series
LeagueWorld Club Series
Duration3 games
Teams6
Highest attendance19,778 Leeds Rhinos vs
North Queensland Cowboys
Lowest attendance14,008 St. Helens vs
Sydney Roosters
Broadcast partnersUnited Kingdom Sky Sports
United Kingdom BBC Sport
United Kingdom SLTV
Australia Nine Network
France beIN Sport
United States Fox Soccer Plus
Europe Sport Klub
2016 Series
World Champions North Queensland Cowboys
Series WinnersAustralia NRL
Runners-up Leeds Rhinos
Biggest away win Wigan Warriors 12–42 Brisbane Broncos
Top point-scorer(s) Johnathan Thurston (14)
Top try-scorer(s) Justin O'Neill
Dominique Peyroux
Aidan Guerra
Corey Oates
Kodi Nikorima (2)

Background

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Qualification for the Super League teams was changed to include the Challenge Cup winners, as well as the League Leaders and Grand Final winner. As the Leeds Rhinos claimed all three possible qualification positions the Super League Board decided to invite Super League semi-finalist St Helens to take part in the series.[1]

The three National Rugby League teams were announced as the champion North Queensland Cowboys, the Brisbane Broncos, who were defeated in the grand final, and the minor premier Sydney Roosters.[2]

Series details

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Winners Score Runners-up
  NRL 3 - 0   Super League

Game 1: Fourth Vs Minor Premiers

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The match celebrated the 40th anniversary of the inaugural World Club Challenge, which involved both teams.[1]

19 February 2016
  St. Helens 12 – 38   Sydney Roosters
Tries:
Dominique Peyroux (42', 62') 2
Goals:
Luke Walsh 2/2
(43', 64')
1st: 0 - 22
12 - 16
Tries:
2 (21', 54') Aiden Guerra
1 (15') Kane Evans
1 (26') Blake Ferguson
1 (37') Dale Copley
1 (52') Shaun Kenny-Dowall
1 (67') Daniel Tupou
Goals:
5/7 Jackson Hastings
(23', 27', 38', 53', 55')
Langtree Park, St. Helens
Attendance: 14,008
Referee:   Ben Thaler
Player of the Match:   Kane Evans

Game 2: Grand Final runners-up

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Game 2 was a repeat of last years fixture where Brisbane Broncos won 14-12 in golden point extra time.

20 February 2016
Wigan Warriors   12 – 42   Brisbane Broncos
Tries:
Dan Sarginson (21') 1
George Williams (76') 1
Goals:
Matty Smith 1/1
(22')
Sam Powell 1/1
(77')
1st: 6 - 24
2nd: 6 - 18
Tries:
2 (10', 53') Corey Oates
2 (17', 57') Kodi Nikorima
1 (32') Matt Gillett
1 (39') Jarrod Wallace
1 (67') Greg Eden
Goals:
6/6 Corey Parker
(11', 18', 33', 54', 58', 68'
1/1 Jordan Kahu
(40')
DW Stadium, Wigan
Attendance: 19,103
Referee:   Matt Cecchin
Player of the Match:   Anthony Milford

World Club Challenge

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Headingley hosted the match

First time the two clubs had met since the 1997 World Club Championship tournament.

21 February 2016
Leeds Rhinos   4 – 38   North Queensland Cowboys
Tries:
Rob Burrow (32') 1
Mitch Garbutt   72'
1st: 4 - 4
2nd: 0 - 34
Tries:
2 (69', 76') Justin O'Neill
1 (22') Michael Morgan
1 (42') Kane Linnett
1 (49') Kyle Feldt
1 (62') Lachlan Coote
1 (64') Johnathan Thurston
James Tamou   72'
Goals:
5/7 Johnathan Thurston
(43', 63', 66', 70', 78')

Leeds Rhinos

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Leeds won the Treble in 2015 in their most successful season. They beat Wigan Warriors 22-20 in the Grand Final to qualify for their 7th World Club Challenge.

North Queensland Cowboys

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The Cowboys won their first Premiership in 2015 which was their 20th anniversary. They beat the Brisbane Broncos in extra time of a dramatic Grand Final to qualify for their first World Club Challenge.

Teams

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2016 World Club Challenge Teams
Leeds Rhinos Posit. North Queensland
Cowboys
Zak Hardaker Fullback Lachlan Coote
Ash Handley Winger Kyle Feldt
Kallum Watkins Centre Justin O'Neill
Joel Moon Centre Kane Linnett
Ryan Hall Winger Antonio Winterstein
Liam Sutcliffe Five-eighth Michael Morgan
Jordan Lilley Halfback Johnathan Thurston (c)
Adam Cuthbertson Prop Matthew Scott (c)
Rob Burrow (c) Hooker Jake Granville
Keith Galloway Prop James Tamou
Brett Ferres Second Row Gavin Cooper
Brett Delaney Second Row Ethan Lowe
Brad Singleton Lock Jason Taumalolo
Mitch Garbutt Interchange Rory Kostjasyn
Jimmy Keinhorst Interchange John Asiata
Anthony Mullally Interchange Scott Bolton
Josh Walters Interchange Ben Hannant
Brian McDermott Coach Paul Green

References

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  1. ^ a b Clubs confirmed for 2016 World Club Series, superleague.co.uk, 8 October 2015
  2. ^ Adrian Proszenko (7 October 2015). "Cowboys, Broncos and Roosters to represent NRL in World Club Series". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney, NSW. Retrieved 7 October 2015.