CAN RHINOS WEATHER THE STORM?
Leeds Rhinos face Australian champions Melbourne Storm tonight for the right to be crowned as the world club champions.
Following their stunning 33-6 victory over St Helens in last season's Grand Final, European Super League Champions Leeds will go head-to-head with the best of Australia in the Carnegie World Club Challenge at Elland Road.
The Rhinos make the short trip from their Headingley base and the 'home' side certainly go into the game as favourites, give the number of omens that all point in their favour.
Aside from more than 30,000 supporters behind them, the Rhinos know that it is the Super League sides that have the edge in this competition. Since it's reincarnation in 2000, the British side has won six of the eight meetings, although Melbourne are one of the two sides that have taken the trophy back down under, beating St Helens in 2000.
That record has led many critics to brand the fixture as 'meaningless' and a disruption to the Australian pre-season, with Melbourne being some way from their first NRL fixture whilst Leeds are already well into their Super League campaign. Last week's 34-6 victory over Catalans Dragons was their fourth win from four.
The Storm however, insist that they are taking the game seriously. They arrived in West Yorkshire earlier than any other visiting side for the world club challenge and put their tactics into practice in a trial game at Halifax last Friday.
There are other positive signs for the Rhinos ahead of tonight's clash.
Elland Road, despite not being their regular home ground, also holds several positive memories for the Rhinos, who are also looking for their second world championship.
It was in 2005 when Leeds triumphed over Canterbury Bulldogs at the ground in front of a record crowd whilst for new coach Brian McClennan, the venue was the scene of his greatest coaching triumph.
In the same year, then New Zealand coach McClennan guided the Kiwi's to an incredible 24-0 victory over Australia in the final of the Tri-Nations.
As for team news; again, it's good news for the Rhinos. Brian McClennan has a virtually full-strength side to choose from, with only Ian Kirke missing from the 17-man squad that won last season's Grand Final. Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy on the other hand, is without injured star pair Greg Inglis and Cameron Smith whilst Clint Newton and Matt King left the club following last season's Grand Final win over Manly.
The above factors make Leeds understandable favourites but Melbourne are certainly capable of causing a shock.
Billy Slater will go up against Leeds' Brent Webb in a battle between two of the world's best full-backs, 18-year-old winger Israel Folau finished his debut NRL season with 21 tries in 26 games and powerful prop Antonio Kaufusi returns from a knee injury to face England captain Jamie Peacock.
It promises to be a fascinating clash between two sides looking to be crowned as the best club side in the world, so why not check out all of the rugby league spread betting markets with Sporting Index?
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