Leeds Rhinos are seeking a record-equalling third World Club Challenge win on Friday night, in their record-equalling fifth appearance in the fixture.
The Rhinos were crowned World Club Champions in 2005 (39-32 against the Bulldogs) and 2008 (11-4 against Melbourne Storm). They tasted defeat against Friday's opponents Manly Sea Eagles in 2009 (28-20) and in 2010 against Melbourne Storm (18-10). All four of Leeds' previous World Club Challenge appearances were at Elland Road.
Wigan Warriors (1987, 1991 & 1994) and Bradford Bulls (2002, 2004 & 2006) are the other clubs to have won the title on three occasions. Leeds will join the Warriors (1987, 1991, 1992, 1994 & 2011) on five appearances in the fixture on Friday night.
Fourteen members of the current Leeds Rhinos squad have played in World Club Challenges before. Five players (RYAN BAILEY, ROB BURROW, JAMIE JONES-BUCHANAN, DANNY McGUIRE and KEVIN SINFIELD) have appeared in all four of the Rhinos' previous World Club deciders.
Brian McDermott is coaching in his first World Club Challenge, but previously played in Bradford Bulls' 41-26 victory against Newcastle Knights in 2002. McDermott's assistant coach JAMES LOWES also played in that game, as did Rhinos prop JAMIE PEACOCK.
Peacock can set a new individual record of four wins with victory on Friday night, and is also aiming to extend his own record number of appearances, having previously played in five World Club Challenge matches.
The squad in full is:
1. Brent Webb
2. Ben Jones-Bishop
3. Kallum Watkins
4. Zak Hardaker
5. Ryan Hall
6. Danny McGuire
7. Rob Burrow
8. Kylie Leuluai
9. Paul McShane
10. Jamie Peacock
11. Jamie Jones-Buchanan
12. Carl Ablett
13. Kevin Sinfield
15. Brett Delaney
16. Ryan Bailey
17. Ian Kirke
18. Chris Clarkson
19. Weller Hauraki
20. Darrell Griffin
