Melbourne Storm take world championship
Russell Gould From: Herald Sun March 01, 2010 6:20AM 32



MELBOURNE Storm added the World Club Challenge trophy to its collection by toppling Leeds Rhinos 18-10 in Leeds this morning

In horrible wet and cold conditions, a try to Storm winger Anthony Quinn two minutes from time ensured the NRL premiers could return home as world champions for the second time.

It was the second successive win in the annual series match by an Australian side following Manly's victory over Leeds last year.
Storm skipper Cameron Smith, who wore the unfamilar No.7 jersey and started at half-back before moving to hooker later in the game, was named Man of the Match for his performance guiding his new-look team around the park.

"It's the two best teams in the world at the moment and it lived up to that," he said

"The boys did a great job, we had a lot of young blokes and they held their nerve."

Melbourne full-back Billy Slater, who was error free in a clinical defensive display, said it was revenge for
the 2008 defeat at the hands of the Rhinos.

"We felt the other end of thr stick two years ago and didn't want to feel that again," he said.

"It's wet, it's cold, a bit of mud, you couldn't throw the ball around too much.

"And it was the first hit out for a lot of boys and great to come away with a win."

Defence dominated for most of the game and only three tries were scored, all in the second half, as the conditions took their toll on the players.

Leeds had their chances to score more, young winger Callum Watkins twice losing the ball within millimetres of the try line.

But their opportunties evaporated as the match went on and Storm's famous defence proved unbreakable.

The match had plenty of fire and intensity, with a brawl in the shadows of half-time after Storm's Hep Cahill lifted Leeds' Aussie hooker Danny Buderus in a tackle.

The penalty count was also high as both teams tried to extract every last second out of English referee Richard Silverwood in their tackling.

Each play-the-ball was slower and more ugly as players, particulalry Storm boys, held their opponents down for as long as possible to enable their defensive line to set.

There wasn't a lot of attacking flair from Melbourne and centre Greg Inglis, Storm's most potent attacking weapon, was hardly seen.

But Storm debutant Luke MacDougall made his presence felt first in defence and then by scoring his team's first try.

That came after Leeds put the pressure on the visitors with a slick try of its own brought about through some quick passess that exposed Storm's left side defence.

Close shaves, missed opportunities and al all-in brawl were all there in a fiery first 40 minutes, played in 1C temperatures with rain teeming down throughout.

Storm took the field with a line-up dinstinclty different from last year's grand final with Smith wearing the half-back's No.7 jumper and Ryan Hinchcliffe starting at hooker.

And it was the Rhinos who the best opportunites for tries early with two efforts going close in the opening 14 minutes.

First time around the Rhinos were held up in goal by Storm debutant Luke MacDougall and then Leeds winger Watkins failed to control the ball in his try attempt.

Storm then took control, dominating possession and field position but couldn't break through a solid Rhinos defence.

But Melbourne was also holding firm, keeping Leeds in its own half on nearly every possession.

Only penalties, and there were plenty allowed the home team any respite but still their early opportunties remained their best.

Despite getting close on numerous occassions dropped balls close to the line cost Melbourne a chance for any four-pointers.

A Hinchcliffe try went begging just on half-time when his richoted kick was just touched by Billy Slater and the video referee denied him.

Melbourne first won the World Club Challenge when they beat England's St Helens 44-6 in 2000.

LEEDS RHINOS 10 Try: Maguire. Goals: Sinfield, Burrow (2)

MELBOURNE STORM 18 Tries: Luke MacDougall, Anthony Quinn. Goals: Smith (5)