WCC
Leeds Rhinos 20 l. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 28

2009 World Club Challenge Index [Draw] [Player Stats]

Location: International > Other > First Grade Competition: World Club Challenge

RLW Issue #4: Manly accused of racism as crisis deepens
Wed March 11, 2009
Manly's nightmare lead-in to their premiership defence has taken another dire turn with Rugby League Week today revealing an accusation of racial vilification levelled at a Sea Eagles player.

In a major bombshell following the Brett Stewart imbroglio, World Club Challenge referee Jason Robinson confirms in our fourth issue of the year that Leeds hooker Matt Diskin and captain Kevin Sinfield each made the racial slur claim during the Elland Road clash.

But they declined to make a formal complaint, further tainting the entire Manly side heading into the premiership opener against the Bulldogs on Saturday night.

Robinson tells RLW: "Basically during the second half, Matt Diskin said something to me indicating a racial comment had been made. No name was mentioned to me.

"Then when I called out Kevin Sinfield, he mentioned it again, to the effect of 'is he allowed to get away with saying that?'

"I said 'you need to go through official channels for that, Kevin'.

"I am not sure what the exact procedure is for a World Club Challenge but I would have certainly included it in my report if that's what he wanted but he did not want to take it further.''

Also this week, columnist par excellence Mark Geyer calls for a two-strikes, 12-month-ban policy for those who misbehave off the field while Australia captain Darren Lockyer tells us why he is planning to re-sign with Brisbane for life.

We tell you about the biggest bargain buy of Round One, on as little as $18,000-a-year, and how South Sydney almost pulled of the secret signing of England captain Jamie Peacock.

Plus we preview 2009 in unprecedented detail, club-by-club with the stats that matter.


Sea Eagles see off Rhinos
Mon March 2, 2009
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Manly Sea Eagles administered a 28-20 victory over engage Super Legaue champions Leeds Rhinos in the 2009 Carnegie World Club Challenge at Elland Road.

The Australian grand final winners ran in five tries, three of them in a devastating five-minute spell at the start of the second half, to end the winning run of English clubs in the annual global challenge.

It was the first overseas victory since Sydney Roosters' 38-0 win over St Helens in 2003 and almost as convincing, as the Sea Eagles revelled in the almost spring-like conditions in Yorkshire - a contrast to the cyclonic conditions that greeted Melbourne Storm a year earlier.

Manly, who came to England as the best prepared Australian side, demonstrated the slick handling and robust defence that accounted for Melbourne Storm in October's NRL grand final.

The Rhinos, hoping to make history by becoming the first team to defend their world crown, were staring at a rout when they trailed 26-4 after 46 minutes. But they rallied with three tries in the final quarter.

They were unfortunate to lose scrum-half Rob Burrow just 16 minutes into his first competitive match since England's World Cup semi-final defeat last November when he was left badly dazed by a crunching tackle from man of the match Anthony Watmough.

The Sea Eagles looked up for the challenge from the kick-off, and any doubt about their serious intent was swiftly removed when Josh Perry came to blows with England captain Jamie Peacock.

The flurry of punches provoked a mini-brawl and resulted in both the main culprits being sent to the sin bin by Australian referee Jason Robinson.

Leeds clearly felt their loss the most and conceded the game's first try within a minute of the incident, full-back Brett Stewart forcing his way over from close range for the first of his two scores.

That helped the visitors get on a roll, and on seven minutes Matt Orford got the dangerous Watmough striding through a gap for his side's second try.

Orford's second goal made it 12-0, but the Rhinos grabbed themselves a lifeline just before the break when second rower Jamie Jones Buchanan pulled a try back in contentious fashion.

He pounced on a loose ball, after Brett Stewart failed to deal with Sinfield's high kick and got McGuire haring for the line.

Orford belied his 30 years by tracking back to make the tackle on the line and managed to remove the ball from McGuire's grasp - only to see Jones Buchanan follow up to get the precious touch, video referee Steve Ganson confirming the try.

Manly coach Des Hasler was unhappy with the decision but was all smiles after watching his side run in three tries at the start of the second half.

Stewart pounced on an error by makeshift centre Carl Ablett; Watmough finished off a break by winger Michael Robertson, and centre Steve Matai was sent in by impressive substitute Heath L'Estrange.

Leeds looked a well beaten side at that stage but produced a determined spell in the final quarter to regain their pride.

Keith Senior took Ali Lauitiiti's overhead pass to score a deserved try, and willing winger Ryan Hall added another on 72 minutes - with Sinfield kicking his second goal.

Orford kicked a late penalty, but at least the Rhinos had the final say when Senior sent McGuire racing away for another consolation try.

Sat February 28, 2009
• Leeds World Club Challenge Squad
  
Sat February 28, 2009
• Sea Eagles favourites to swoop for World Club crown
  
Fri February 27, 2009
• Sea Eagles backed to prove Super League 'Second Tier'
  
Thu February 26, 2009
• Burrow and Orford punters favourite for Man of the Match
  
Wed February 25, 2009
• Buderus ruled out of World Club Challenge
  
Sat February 21, 2009
• Interview: Manly centre Jamie Lyon
  
Tue February 17, 2009
• Interview: Manly and Australian winger David Williams
  
Sat February 14, 2009
• Des Hasler & Matt Orford WCC Press Conference Audio
  
Sat January 10, 2009
• Manly to be full strength for Harlequins and Leeds clashes
  
Wed January 7, 2009
• Leeds boss claims Rhinos as 'best squad we have ever had'
  

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