Features

Rhinos ready for Storm

Author: John Harris
Date: 27/02/2010
Rugby League betting

Leeds Rhinos will put their Super League struggles to one side on Sunday when they take on Australian champions Melbourne Storm in the World Club Challenge final at Elland Road.

Brian McClennan's outfit take on NRL's finest in what is a repeat of the 2008 showpiece event on the back of some very average performances at the start of their domestic campaign.

Two defeats - against Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats - have stymied the all-conquering team so far this term but they remain the online sportsbook favourites to win the Grand Final for a fourth successive season.

They have looked a shade of the unit that have picked up three successive successes and their form has left worried fans fearing the worst ahead of Sunday's crunch meeting.

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The two defeats were sandwiched between wins at Crusaders and at home to Salford City Reds but they failed to impress in both games despite collecting the points.

Storm will want to settle old scores after their defeat against Leeds two years ago.

The hosts grabbed an 11-4 victory that time and will have to turn their form around rapidly if they are gain another success.

Leeds will have been watching keenly last Sunday when the Storm warmed up for the match with an emphatic 34-10 win against Harlequins at Twickenham Stoop.

Anthony Quinn, second rower Kevin Proctor and Dane Nielsen put Storm in command as they went in at the interval 18-0 to the good as star-centre Greg Inglis made a return to action from injury.

Further touchdowns by Hep Cahill, Rory Kostjasyn and Nielsen after the restart showed the Rhinos what they are capable of.

Gareth Widdop, a 20-year-old Yorkshireman who emigrated to Australia four years ago, converted five of his six conversion attempts and will be wanting to return to his homeland and grab the honours on offer.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy will have been impressed with what unfolded in front of him although their ruthlessness may be giving McClennan and his men some sleepless nights.

But the form-book goes out the window with these games and it would take a brave man to bet against the Rhinos as they aim to win the title they lost to Manly Sea Eagles last year.

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