2017 World Club Series

Last updated

2017 Dacia World Club Series
League World Club Series
Duration2 games
Teams4
Highest attendance21,011 Wigancolours.svg Wigan Warriors vs
Cronulla colours.svg Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Lowest attendance12,082 Wolvescolours.svg Warrington Wolves vs
Brisbane colours.svg Brisbane Broncos
Broadcast partners Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Sky Sports
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg BBC Sport
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg SLTV
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Nine Network
Flag of France.svg beIN Sport
Flag of the United States.svg Fox Soccer Plus
Flag of Europe.svg Sport Klub
2017 Series
World Champions Wigancolours.svg Wigan Warriors
Series Winners Flag of England.svg Super League
Runners-up Cronulla colours.svg Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Top point-scorer(s) Wigancolours.svg Joe Burgess (12)
Top try-scorer(s) Wigancolours.svg Joe Burgess (3)

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.

Contents

Background

In 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

Series Score

WinnersScoreRunners-up
Flag of England.svg Super League 2–0 Flag of Australia (converted).svg NRL

Game 1: Warrington Vs Brisbane

18 February [4]
Wolvescolours.svg Warrington Wolves 27 – 18 Brisbane colours.svg 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: Flag of England.svg Phil Bentham
Player of the Match: Wolvescolours.svg Kevin Brown

Warrington are the first Super League team to beat a NRL team in 5 years, and 8 games.

World Club Challenge

The DW Stadium hosted the match Wigan athletics dw stadium.jpg
The DW Stadium hosted the match
19 February
Wigancolours.svg Wigan Warriors 22 – 6 Cronulla colours.svg 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')
DW Stadium, Wigan
Attendance: 21,011
Referee: Flag of England.svg Robert Hicks
Player of the Match: Wigancolours.svg George Williams

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

  1. "Super League keen to develop World Club Series despite whitewash". The Guardian. 22 February 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
  2. "Wayne Bennett backs World Club Series in face of growing Australian opposition". The Guardian. 11 October 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
  3. "Melbourne Storm confirm World Club Challenge stance". 10 October 2016. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  4. "World Club Series announced". 21 October 2016.
  5. "Warrington 27-18 Brisbane". BBC Sport.
  6. "Wigan Warriors 22-6 Cronulla Sharks". BBC Sport.