Leeds Rhinos 39 Canterbury Bulldogs 32 — World Club Championship

Leeds are the world club Rugby League champions but as the great Duke of Wellington said about his victory at Waterloo ‘it was a damn close run thing’.

Leeds dominated the first half and the try by Danny Maguire could yet become the try of the season by an individual player. On the other hand it is possible that the final try of the half, finished off by Rob Burrow, could be voted the try of the season involving team-work. The ball went through nine pair of hands in one long sweeping movement to score the try. Leeds built up a twenty six point lead. Then in the second half Canterbury came back with brilliant sustained attacking play. By the end of the game Leeds were desperately defending a seven-point lead, but they held out to take the cup.

Why was there such a difference between the two halves of the game? We can only guess. Canterbury can point to the long journey over here, the cold conditions, playing on an away ground and the presence of so many youngsters who in the first half found the sound of the huge crowd unnerving. Leeds can claim that they were so self-confident after their first half domination that they came out for the second half in too relaxed a mood. They certainly began dropping passes and missing tackles. Of course really, no one will ever know. But then what is important is that it was a magnificent game and for those of us who are Rhino fans it was a great win.

And having won the match the Rhino fans will, like all rugby league fans, be turning their attention to the new season which starts on Friday. And guess who will be featuring on Sky sports on Friday night with an eight-o-clock kick-off? Why none other than Leeds Rhinos who will be visiting their old rivals Hull at the Kingston Stadium. Who will win that game? Leeds will be favourites to win. They are world champions and on paper they have the stronger team. But it is no forgone conclusion. Twice Bradford Bulls won the world championship and then went on to lose in the next league or cup game and we know that playing at home the strong Hull side can beat any side on the day. Anyway let’s wait for 9.45 GMT on Friday evening, then we will all know.