The 2017 World Club Series (also known as the 2017 Dacia World Club Series) was the third staging of the World Club Series and featured two Super League teams and two National Rugby League (NRL) teams. The series included the World Club Challenge, a one-off match between the champions of the Super League and NRL.
| 2017 Dacia World Club Series | |
|---|---|
| League | World Club Series |
| Duration | 2 games |
| Teams | 4 |
| Highest attendance | 21,011  Wigan Warriors vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
| Lowest attendance | 12,082  Warrington Wolves vs Brisbane Broncos |
| Broadcast partners |  Sky Sports BBC Sport SLTV Nine Network  beIN Sport Fox Soccer Plus Sport Klub |
| 2017 Series | |
| World Champions | Wigan Warriors |
| Series Winners |  Super League |
| Runners-up | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
| Top point-scorer(s) | Joe Burgess (12) |
| Top try-scorer(s) | Joe Burgess (3) |
Background
editIn 2016, it was suggested that future World Club Series could be expanded to eight teams,[1] but several NRL clubs were resistant to this plan.[2] In October 2016, NRL Grand Final runners up Melbourne Storm announced they would not be participating due to it interfering with their pre-season.[3]
The Brisbane Broncos were the only side that finished in the top 8 from that season that accepted an invitation to play meaning the series would be reduced to only two teams. Challenge Cup winners Hull F.C. would consequently not be able to participate as no game could be arranged.
Series details
editSeries Score
edit| Winners | Score | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|
| Super League
|
2–0 | NRL
|
Game 1: Warrington Vs Brisbane
edit18 February[4]
|
| Warrington Wolves
|
27 – 18 | Brisbane Broncos
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Kevin Brown (2') 1 Ryan Atkins (14') 1 Matthew Russell (18') 1 Tom Lineham (39') 1 Goals: Declan Patton 5/6 (3', 7' pen, 15', 19', 66' pen) Field Goals: Declan Patton (63') 1 |
[5] 1st: 24 – 6 2nd: 3 – 12 |
Tries: 1 (26') Corey Oates 1 (44') James Roberts 1 (72') David Mead Goals: 3/3 Jordan Kahu (27', 46', 72') |
Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington
Attendance: 12,082 Referee: Phil BenthamPlayer of the Match: Kevin Brown |
Warrington are the first Super League team to beat a NRL team in 5 years, and 8 games.
World Club Challenge
edit
19 February
|
| Wigan Warriors
|
22 – 6 | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Joe Burgess (3', 23', 80') 3 Oliver Gildart (45') 1 Goals: Morgan Escare 2/3 (25',46') Sam Powell 1/1 (80') |
[6] 1st: 10 – 0 2nd: 12 – 6 |
Tries: 1 (59') Jesse Ramien Goals: 1/1 James Maloney (60') |
This series was the first victory for Super League since the conception of the World Club Series, after the NRL won the last two series.
References
edit- ^ "Super League keen to develop World Club Series despite whitewash". The Guardian. 22 February 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
- ^ "Wayne Bennett backs World Club Series in face of growing Australian opposition". The Guardian. 11 October 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
- ^ "Melbourne Storm confirm World Club Challenge stance". 10 October 2016. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- ^ "World Club Series announced". 21 October 2016.
- ^ "Warrington 27-18 Brisbane". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Wigan Warriors 22-6 Cronulla Sharks". BBC Sport.