Jamie Peacock heaped praise on his Rhinos team-mates after their 11-4 triumph over Melbourne Storm at Elland Road.
GB skipper delighted after hard-fought win
Great Britain captain Jamie Peacock heaped praise on his Rhinos team-mates after their 11-4 triumph over Melbourne Storm at Elland Road.
Leeds overcame Australia's finest to become world champions and maintain Super League's proud record in the World Club Challenge.
Peacock twice tasted success in the annual clash of the champions with Bradford, but drew more satisfaction from Friday's victory over Melbourne.
"It was definitely the toughest of the three," said Peacock.
"Melbourne came to play and certainly took it seriously.
"I can see why they've done as well as they have in the NRL but, when they lifted we lifted and we probably lifted a little bit more. We didn't back down.
"It was certainly an impressive defensive effort, more brutal than anything. A lot of the tackling was pretty physical and pretty dominant.''
Impressive
Leeds' victory was even more impressive after stand-off Danny McGuire was forced to leave the field after just 24 minutes with a damaged collar bone.
Further injuries to Clinton Toopi and Keith Senior meant a re-shuffle which also saw skipper Kevin Sinfield switching from loose forward to stand-off and producing a man-of-the-match performance - much to the delight of his half-back partner Rob Burrow.
"Fortunately, we've got a side full of lads willing to fill in anywhere they
can," said Burrow.
"Kev did a great job. He's a half-back/loose forward anyway.
"It was always going to be a tough game - they're a world-class team - but I thought we weathered the storm.
"They threw a lot at us but, all credit to our boys, especially in the middle. They really toughed it up.
"It certainly had a different buzz to it. You step up a gear and find something which you only find for big games and finals."
