Leeds coach Brian McClennan believes Sunday's showdown with Melbourne Storm is the biggest in the club's history.
McClennan keen to strike a blow for Super League
Leeds Rhinos coach Brian McClennan believes Sunday's showdown with Melbourne Storm is the biggest in the club's history.
The three-time Super League champions are making a record-equalling fourth appearance in the Gillette World Club Challenge aiming to match the feat of Wigan and Bradford, who have both won the title three times.
The Rhinos beat the Storm two years ago, to follow up their 2007 success over Canterbury Bulldogs, but lost to Manly Sea Eagles 12 months ago.
Melbourne's only victory was a 44-0 hammering of St Helens in 2000, since when the annual inter-hemisphere clash has been dominated by Super League clubs with seven wins from the last nine contests.
"It's a wonderful opportunity for both our clubs," McClennan said.
"We want to perform well for Super League and we're calling on supporters of other clubs to support us too.
"We want to do Super League proud against the best side the NRL have produced in quite a few decades. They're a team that is evolving the game of rugby league very quickly.
"It's certainly the biggest challenge we've had as a club."
Leeds go into Sunday's game with injury doubts and a worrying loss of form, in contrast to the situation a year ago but McClennan is confident his players can rise to the occasion, especially on the comparatively lush turf of Elland Road.
"Last year we won four games leading into the World Club Challenge but it didn't mean we performed that well," he added.
"We've a lot of experience in big games and we'll call on that. We'll give a good account of ourselves.
"We've had a couple of difficult games in the conditions but at Elland Road the pitch is always prepared well and there will be good conditions to play in for both teams."
Experience
Melbourne assistant coach Stephen Kearney, the New Zealand national coach, is taking little notice of the Rhinos' stuttering start to the season and says the Australian champions are preparing to face Leeds at their best.
"We're well aware of the personnel they have," he said. "With that much big-game experience in their side, I'm sure you'll see them come to the fore on Sunday night.
"That's what we're counting on. We think they're going to be at their very best and that's how we're preparing."
If they need any extra incentive, the Leeds players will share the £50,000 prize fund if they are victorious on Sunday.
"It's something we've always done," said chief executive Gary Hetherington. "It is a way of getting around the salary cap."
Leeds are resigned to being without winger Scott Donald, their try hero from 2008 who jarred his shoulder in the Rhinos' 22-10 win over Salford last Friday.
"He's not progressing as well as we would have liked," said McClennan. "We'll give him another couple of days but, if he's not right, we're very confident in the players we've got available in that position."
McClennan is likely to switch teenager Kallum Watkins from centre to wing if Australian newcomer Brett Delaney recovers in time from the knee injury sustained on his home debut. Watkins has deputised for Delaney in the last two matches.
Melbourne will also leave selection late as they consider a replacement for injured scrum-half Cooper Cronk.
"We're still looking over the performances of a lot of the lads that played in London at the weekend," said Kearney. "We haven't made any firm decisions yet."
Kearney confirmed the Storm coaching staff plan to meet up with Super League referee Richard Silverwood before Sunday's game.
"We need to get some clarification on a couple of areas," he said.
