If you seriously believe no Aussie side wants to host it in case they get beat you're deluded. The reason they don't want to host it is because they know they won't get a crowd to watch a one-sided mismatch. The revenue generated by milking 30,000 UK fans more than covers the additional expense of coming over here to play it.

Again, you seem to be missing the point. Melbourne will be severely depleted from the team that won the 2009 NRL Grand Final by the time the WCC comes around. They will be missing 4 players who are recovering from surgery, plus a further 4(?) who have moved on to new clubs over the close season. Barring any injuries in the opening rounds of SL Leeds will be heading into the game missing just Lee Smith from the 2009 GF side. You can hardly call that "under strength".

What makes you think Manly in 2009 approached the WCC in any different fashion from the Bulldogs or Melbourne before them? Who in the Melbourne camp has used the phrases "low key" or "meaningless" to describe the WCC anyway?

The 4 who are having surgery, 2 of them are at best fringe players, the likes of Pitts or Ambler at Leeds, so really they're missing 2 first choice players in Cronk and White.
As for the 4 or so who have moved on, thats up to the club and is totally and utterly under their control and shouldn't come into consideration when discussing whether a team is "under strength".


I dont call it under strength, I just dont class Melbourne as under strength either. As I said its a typical Aussie press release that happens before virtually every WCC or international game.

Bingo.

Who cares?

Is the problem there not just that it is played in two seperate seasons, rather than under strength? Most teams change personell each season, it will always happen as long as the WCC is played into a new season.

And you need to look at the comments the Melbourne Storm were making before this latest announcement. For a start they are already back in preseason training, with this game been the reason for that. They were back 10 days before our guys have gone back, and ours doesn't include any of our internationals, who will not be back until January. They are most definately taking this game seriously. And who is to say Leeds will not have injuries before the game is reached?

It's poor reporting. When I saw the headline I thought Inglis, Slater and Smith would be the ones missing.

But instead it's a list of 4 no marks which includes Ryan Tandy. The man who proves the NRL is not so far ahead. He was poor in NL1 yet is a regular in the 17 for the NRL premiers. Shocking.

Who's said that, have Melbourne said that?

I know the guy who looked after the Australian sides in 2005 2008 and 2009. He said the difference in attitude in 2009 was obvious. Manly were far more professional about the game even when they weren't 'working'.

if rumoured on the VT are to be believed, a article over in Aus has been published saying Inglis and Slater will be missing for the game.

I'll enjoy the game and I'll enjoy the event. If we pick up the trophy that is on offer then I will celebrate that.

I have to say, the three WCC's we have been involved in have produced great games and big crowds so why focus so much on the negatives?

The WCC is a massive money spinner for the two competing clubs. There's no better, practical, way to determine World Club Champions and if the Aussies can't market this game down under and don't play their full strength team then that is a matter for them.

Ah well more chance of another trophy for us then!

Add Willie Mason to the Melbourne squad thats coming over for the World Club Challenge.. www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/leag ... -lit4.html

Add Willie Mason to the Melbourne squad thats coming over for the World Club Challenge.. www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/leag ... -lit4.html

I dunno what the fuss is about the media make mountains out of mole hills all the time and more than often tend to stretch the true anyway.

Both teams will want it and will try their best to win the WCC. People left out of the quad because of injury and recovery is fair enough. You have to work with what you have if you want to win and not complain about "we where missing X thats why we lost."

Should make a classic game no matter who wins

(I'm backing the Rhinos) SSSSHHHH!!!!

mason not signed for the storm they dont want him

Quote: redcliffe rhino "mason not signed for the storm they dont want him'" This would certainly seem to back you up: www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,865 ... 66,00.html

Quote: redcliffe rhino "mason not signed for the storm they dont want him'" This would certainly seem to back you up: www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,865 ... 66,00.html