2007 World Club Challenge
Encyclopedia
The 2007 Carnegie World Club Challenge
was played between Super League XI
champions, St Helens and 2006 National Rugby League premiers, the Brisbane Broncos
. It was a replay of the 2001 World Club Challenge
, and both clubs' fifth WCC appearance. The match was played on the night of 23 February at Reebok Stadium
, Bolton before a crowd of 23,207.
to earn a place in the new year's World Club Challenge. Already the leading Australian club in number of Challenge appearances, 2007's match would make it the 4th time Brisbane would travel to England for the match (they also hosted the World Club challenge in 1994, making it a total of 5 appearances.
season.
side Celtic Crusaders at the Brewery Field
in Bridgend
on 15 February 2007, eight days before the world title contest. The warm-up watch was titled the Bulmer
s Original Cider Challenge. During the match, Brisbane players wore a new type of playing kit that allowed them to dry their hands during play using a chamois panel on the back of the shorts. Brisbane eventually beat Celtic 32–6 but had first been held scoreless during the opening quarter of the match.
As they had brought with them only 18 players, the Broncos were worried about suffering injuries against the Crusaders. Brisbane's contingency was two players in Australia ready to fly to Britain should they be needed. If more than two injuries were suffered, the Broncos planned to borrow former Brisbane players currently with Celtic Crusaders subject to applying for and receiving the relevant permissions.
had retired, utility back Casey Maguire had signed with another club, and David Stagg
was also absent.
The Broncos were the first to score when St. Helens winger Ade Gardner failed to secure a Darren Lockyer cross-field bomb close to his own try line, providing Brisbane's second-rower Corey Parker with a gift try which he went on to successfully convert. A further two points were added when a Matt Gidley tackle on Shaun Berrigan resulted in Australian referee Steve Clarke awarding a penalty to the Broncos. The Saints hit back though with a movement out wide finished off by Gardner. Paul Sculthorpe successfully adding the extra two saw a half-time scoreline of 8 - 6 in favour of the visitors.
In the second half Brisbane were once again the first to score, with their captain Darren Lockyer kicking across field for winger Darius Boyd to catch the ball and get a try. St. Helens Loose forward Sculthorpe then scored a try at the other end which he also converted, levelling the score at 12 all. Another tackling infringement by Gidley brought about a penalty, which the Broncos successfully kicked, giving them a two-point lead going into the final quarter of the match. But in the 70th minute, from 20 metres out, Sean Long put a high kick across field and Ade Garnder, leaping up over the Brisbane defence, caught the ball and came down with it over the try-line, putting the Saints in front and ensuring a tense final ten minutes. The conversion from Sculthorpe brought the score to 18 - 14 in favour of the European champions, who managed to preserve that scoreline until the final siren.
Paul Sculthorpe
, St Helens returning from injury was judged to be Man-of-the-Match.
The win meant a clean sweep of the trophies for St. Helens, who had already won the 2006 Challenge Cup and the 2006 Super League Grand Final
.
World Club Challenge
The World Club Challenge is an annual rugby league football match held between the champions of the Australasian National Rugby League and the European Super League competitions to determine the world's best rugby league club...
was played between Super League XI
Super League XI
Engage Super League XI was the official name for the year 2006's Super League season in the sport of rugby league in Europe. Bradford Bulls were looking to retain the title they won in Super League X....
champions, St Helens and 2006 National Rugby League premiers, the Brisbane Broncos
Brisbane Broncos
The Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the city of Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. Founded in 1988, the Broncos play in Australasia's elite competition, the National Rugby League premiership. They have won six premierships and two...
. It was a replay of the 2001 World Club Challenge
2001 World Club Challenge
The 2001 World Club Challenge was contested between Super League V champions, St Helens and 2000 NRL season premiers, the Brisbane Broncos. The Broncos made the trip to England to play St Helens before the start of the 2001 NRL and Super League seasons and were beaten by two late field goals from...
, and both clubs' fifth WCC appearance. The match was played on the night of 23 February at Reebok Stadium
Reebok Stadium
The Reebok Stadium is the home stadium of English Premier League football club Bolton Wanderers, and is located on the Middlebrook Retail Park in Horwich, in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. It is commonly known as 'The Reebok'...
, Bolton before a crowd of 23,207.
Brisbane Broncos
On 1 October, 2006 the Brisbane Broncos clinched the 2006 National Rugby League title in a 15 - 8 defeat of Melbourne StormMelbourne Storm
The Melbourne Storm are an Australian professional rugby league club based in the city of Melbourne. They are the first fully professional rugby league team based in the Australian rules football-dominated state of Victoria....
to earn a place in the new year's World Club Challenge. Already the leading Australian club in number of Challenge appearances, 2007's match would make it the 4th time Brisbane would travel to England for the match (they also hosted the World Club challenge in 1994, making it a total of 5 appearances.
St Helens
On 14 October, 2006 St Helens qualified for the Challenge after being crowned the 2006 Super League champions, defeating Hull 26 - 4 in the Grand Final. They went into the match against the Broncos on the back of consecutive defeats in the early rounds of the 2007 Super League XIISuper League XII
Engage Super League XII is the official name for the year 2007's Super League season in the sport of rugby league.The 2007 season kicked off on the weekend of 2 February 2007 at the Galpharm Stadium. For the first time, the league had a staggered start due to the World Club Challenge between St...
season.
Pre-match
Brisbane arrived in the United Kingdom with just an 18-man squad for two scheduled matches, the World Club Challenge and a warm-up game. Brisbane played their warm-up match against National League TwoChampionship 1
Championship 1, known as The Co-operative Championship 1 due to sponsorship by The Co-operative Group, is a rugby league competition based in the United Kingdom. It acts as the country's third-tier competition behind the Championship, with which it has a system of promotion and relegation. It is...
side Celtic Crusaders at the Brewery Field
Brewery Field
Brewery Field is a 8,000 capacity sports stadium in Bridgend, Wales 1,100 of which is seated capacity...
in Bridgend
Bridgend
Bridgend is a town in the Bridgend County Borough in Wales, west of the capital, Cardiff. The river crossed by the original bridge, which gave the town its name, is the River Ogmore but the River Ewenny also passes to the south of the town...
on 15 February 2007, eight days before the world title contest. The warm-up watch was titled the Bulmer
H. P. Bulmer
H.P. Bulmer is a brewing company founded in 1887 in Hereford, England. The founder was Percy Bulmer, the twenty-year-old son of the local rector at Credenhill...
s Original Cider Challenge. During the match, Brisbane players wore a new type of playing kit that allowed them to dry their hands during play using a chamois panel on the back of the shorts. Brisbane eventually beat Celtic 32–6 but had first been held scoreless during the opening quarter of the match.
As they had brought with them only 18 players, the Broncos were worried about suffering injuries against the Crusaders. Brisbane's contingency was two players in Australia ready to fly to Britain should they be needed. If more than two injuries were suffered, the Broncos planned to borrow former Brisbane players currently with Celtic Crusaders subject to applying for and receiving the relevant permissions.
Match details
The Broncos were without three of their 2006 NRL grand final-winning team: star prop forward Shane WebckeShane Webcke
Shane Webcke is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer, who spent his entire top-grade career playing for the Brisbane Broncos. His position of choice was at prop forward and at his peak he was renowned as the best front rower in the world...
had retired, utility back Casey Maguire had signed with another club, and David Stagg
David Stagg
David Stagg is an Australian professional rugby league player for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs of the National Rugby League. A Queensland State of Origin representative utility forward, he previously played for the Brisbane Broncos, with whom he won the 2006 NRL Premiership...
was also absent.
| St Helens | Brisbane Broncos Brisbane Broncos The Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the city of Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. Founded in 1988, the Broncos play in Australasia's elite competition, the National Rugby League premiership. They have won six premierships and two... |
|
|---|---|---|
| 1. Paul Wellens Paul Wellens Paul Simon Wellens is an English multi-award–winning rugby league footballer. Wellens plays for St. Helens in the European Super League. Wellens is a Great Britain and England international... |
Fullback | 1. Karmichael Hunt Karmichael Hunt Karmichael Neil Matthew Hunt is an Australian professional multi-code football player, currently playing Australian rules football for the newly formed Gold Coast Suns in the Australian Football League .... |
| 2. Ade Gardner Ade Gardner Adrian Antonio Gardner is an English professional rugby league footballer for St. Helens of Super League. A Great Britain representative winger, he previously played for Barrow Raiders. He is the older brother of Ex-Salford City Reds winger, Mat Gardner.Gardner went to St Columba's Roman... |
Winger | 2. Darius Boyd Darius Boyd Darius Boyd is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the Newcastle Knights in the NRL. Boyd plays at fullback, however he is also very capable as a three-quarter back, as proven by his selection for Australia and Queensland as a winger... |
| 3. Matthew Gidley Matthew Gidley Matthew "Matt" Gidley is an Australian rugby league administrator and retired professional footballer. Born in Newcastle, New South Wales, Gidley represented New South Wales and Australia. He is the currently CEO of Football Operations at the Newcastle Knights... |
Centre | 3. Brent Tate Brent Tate Brent Tate is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the North Queensland Cowboys in the National Rugby League... |
| 4. Willie Talau Willie Talau Viliamu Talau is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who plays for English club Salford City Reds of Super League... |
Centre | 4. Justin Hodges Justin Hodges Justin Hodges is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League... |
| 5. Francis Meli Francis Meli Francis Meli is a professional rugby league player who currently plays for St. Helens in the Super League competition. Meli has represented both New Zealand and Samoa in internationals. His usual position is on the wing.... |
Winger | 5. Steve Michaels |
| 6. Leon Pryce Leon Pryce Leon Pryce is an English professional rugby league footballer of Jamaican descent for the St. Helens club of Super League... |
Stand-off half | 6. Darren Lockyer Darren Lockyer Darren Lockyer is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer. He was the captain of the Australian national team, the Queensland State of Origin team and his National Rugby League club, the Brisbane Broncos. His professional career spanned between 1995 and 2011... (c) |
| 7. Sean Long Sean Long Sean Long is an English former professional rugby league and current rugby union footballer with Preston Grasshoppers. He has played for Wigan, Widnes and Hull but is best known for playing for St Helens in the Super League. Internationally he has represented England and Great Britain at /... (c) |
Scrum half | 7. Shane Perry Shane Perry Shane Perry is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Norths Devils of the Queensland Cup His position of choice is in the halves... |
| 8. Nick Fozzard Nick Fozzard Nicholas Fozzard is an English rugby league footballer who is currently playing for Castleford Tigers of Super League.A , his previous clubs are St. Helens, Warrington, Huddersfield, Leeds and Hull KR, and has signed a 1-year deal with Castleford Tigers for the 2011 season.During his spell with St... |
Prop | 8. Dane Carlaw Dane Carlaw Dane Carlaw is an Australian professional rugby league footballer. He currently plays for the Brisbane Broncos in Australia's National Rugby League after spending three years in the European Super League competition playing for French side Catalans Dragons.-Early years:While attending Padua... |
| 9. James Roby James Roby James Roby is an English professional rugby league footballer for St. Helens of Super League. A Great Britain and England international representative hooker, he has played his entire professional career to date at St Helens, winning the 2006 Super League XI Championship with them.-Career:Roby... |
Hooker | 14. Shaun Berrigan Shaun Berrigan Shaun Berrigan is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Canberra Raiders of the NRL. Brother of fellow professional, Barry, Shaun has also played for the Brisbane Broncos, Hull and the New Zealand Warriors... |
| 10. Jason Cayless Jason Cayless Jason Paul Cayless is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. A New Zealand international representative prop forward, he is the younger brother of Parramatta Eels great, Nathan Cayless. He played his club football for the Sydney Roosters, with whom he won the 2002... |
Prop | 10. Petero Civoniceva Petero Civoniceva Petero Civoniceva is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently contracted to the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League... |
| 11. Lee Gilmour Lee Gilmour Lee Gilmour is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays for Huddersfield Giants of Super League.Gilmour's usual position is , but he has played on the and in the s when a back-line player suffered an injury.... |
Second Row | 11. Corey Parker |
| 12. Mike Bennett | Second Row | 15. Brad Thorn Brad Thorn Bradley Carnegie Thorn is a professional rugby union player. He has in the past represented Australia at rugby league, and currently represents New Zealand in union... |
| 13. Jon Wilkin | Loose forward | 12. Tonie Carroll Tonie Carroll Tonie Carroll is retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. An Australian and New Zealand international representative utility, he played for the Brisbane Broncos of the NRL... |
| 14. Paul Sculthorpe Paul Sculthorpe Paul Sculthorpe , is an English retired rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. A Great Britain international representative /, and /, he played club football for St. Helens, with whom he won a total of four Grand Finals, three Challenge Cups and two World Club Challenges... |
Interchange | 13. Sam Thaiday Sam Thaiday Samuel H. "Sam" Thaiday is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who captains the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League. An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative forward, he has spent all of his career at the Broncos, with whom he won the 2006... |
| 15. James Graham James Graham (rugby league) James Graham is a rugby league player for St. Helens of Super League. A Great Britain and England international representative front row forward, he has played his entire professional career to date at St... |
Interchange | 17. Greg Eastwood Greg Eastwood Greg Eastwood is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Canterbury Bulldogs in the NRL. A New Zealand international representative lock or second row forward, he previously for the Brisbane Broncos, Bulldogs in the NRL and Leeds Rhinos in the European Super League... |
| 16. Bryn Hargreaves Bryn Hargreaves Bryn Hargreaves is an English rugby league player with Super League team Bradford Bulls .Bryn Hargreaves played prop forward in the Wigan Academy since 2002. He made his first team debut from the subs' bench against Salford City Reds in July 2004 and his full debut against London Broncos in... |
Interchange | 18. Ben Hannant Ben Hannant Benjamin Hannant is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos of the NRL... |
| 17. Keiron Cunningham Keiron Cunningham Keiron Cunningham is a former British professional rugby league footballer. A Great Britain and Wales international representative hooker, he played his entire club rugby career at St... |
Interchange | 9. Michael Ennis Michael Ennis Michael Ennis is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs of the National Rugby League. A New South Wales State of Origin representative hooker, he previously played for the Brisbane Broncos, St George Illawarra Dragons and the Newcastle Knights... |
| Daniel Anderson Daniel Anderson (rugby league) Daniel Anderson is an Australian rugby league football coach. Anderson previously coached in Australia, New Zealand and England and is particularly noted for his work with the development of younger players.-Early years:... |
Coach | Wayne Bennett |
The Broncos were the first to score when St. Helens winger Ade Gardner failed to secure a Darren Lockyer cross-field bomb close to his own try line, providing Brisbane's second-rower Corey Parker with a gift try which he went on to successfully convert. A further two points were added when a Matt Gidley tackle on Shaun Berrigan resulted in Australian referee Steve Clarke awarding a penalty to the Broncos. The Saints hit back though with a movement out wide finished off by Gardner. Paul Sculthorpe successfully adding the extra two saw a half-time scoreline of 8 - 6 in favour of the visitors.
In the second half Brisbane were once again the first to score, with their captain Darren Lockyer kicking across field for winger Darius Boyd to catch the ball and get a try. St. Helens Loose forward Sculthorpe then scored a try at the other end which he also converted, levelling the score at 12 all. Another tackling infringement by Gidley brought about a penalty, which the Broncos successfully kicked, giving them a two-point lead going into the final quarter of the match. But in the 70th minute, from 20 metres out, Sean Long put a high kick across field and Ade Garnder, leaping up over the Brisbane defence, caught the ball and came down with it over the try-line, putting the Saints in front and ensuring a tense final ten minutes. The conversion from Sculthorpe brought the score to 18 - 14 in favour of the European champions, who managed to preserve that scoreline until the final siren.
Paul Sculthorpe
Paul Sculthorpe
Paul Sculthorpe , is an English retired rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. A Great Britain international representative /, and /, he played club football for St. Helens, with whom he won a total of four Grand Finals, three Challenge Cups and two World Club Challenges...
, St Helens returning from injury was judged to be Man-of-the-Match.
The win meant a clean sweep of the trophies for St. Helens, who had already won the 2006 Challenge Cup and the 2006 Super League Grand Final
2006 Super League Grand Final
The 2006 Super League Grand Final was the conclusive and championship-deciding game of Super League XI. Held on Saturday, 14 October at Manchester's Old Trafford ground, the game was played between St Helens, who finished top of the league after the 28 weekly rounds, and Hull, who finished second...
.