Nick Gandy

World Challenge Preview Leeds Rhinos v Melbourne Storm

15/02/2013

It won’t exactly be a local derby but there is certainly no love lost between these two teams. On Friday the Leeds Rhinos will play hosts to the Melbourne Storm.
Both these teams were champions of their Grand Final tournaments and now the match between the two of them will decide who gets the title of World Challenge Champion, another accolade that the Leeds team will be desperate to have.
Officially the Storm has only won two premiership titles and one World Challenge title but actually there record is far more impressive, several of their other titles were annulled after it emerged that the club breached the salary cap between 2006-2010.
So the club is not to underestimated, they were have just as much of an illustrious career as the Rhinos and they have the typical southern handling skill that characterises their style of rugby.
Leeds will be looking to Sir Kevin Sinfield to deliver the points and lead their team to victory.
Similarly the Storm will be relying on their long-term leader Cameron smith
The Rhinos finished 5th last season but that didn’t stop them winning where it counts. Similarly the Melbourners came 2nd in their league so initially one might think they have the advantage, but Leeds have had a good start to their season recording two strong wins, off the back of that anything is possible.
A big win like this will galvanise the Rhinos morale and there could not be a better start to a season than being declared World Challenge Champions.