# 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.

## Background

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.
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.

## Series details

| Winners | Score | Runners-up |
| NRL | 3 - 0 | Super League |

### Game 1: Fourth Vs Minor Premiers

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

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

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') |
* Headingley, Leeds Attendance: 19,778 Referee: Richard Silverwood Graham Murray Medal: Johnathan Thurston

#### Leeds Rhinos

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

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

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 |