2016 World Club Series

2016 Dacia World Club Series

League	World Club Series
Duration	3 games
Number of teams	6
Highest attendance	19,778 Leeds Rhinos vs North Queensland Cowboys
Lowest attendance	14,008 St Helens vs Sydney Roosters
Broadcast partners	Sky Sports BBC Sport SLTV Nine Network beIN Sport Fox Soccer Plus Sport Klub
2016 Series
World Champions	North Queensland Cowboys
Series Winners	NRL
Runners-up	Leeds Rhinos
Top point-scorer(s)	Johnathan Thurston (14)
Top try-scorer(s)	Justin O'Neill Dominique Peyroux Aidan Guerra Corey Oates Kodi Nikorima (2)
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The 2016 World Club Series (also known as the 2016 Dacia World Club Series due to sponsorship by Dacia) was the second edition of the World Club Series and saw three Super League teams and three National Rugby League (NRL) teams participate. The series included the World Club Challenge, a one-off match between the champions of the Super League and NRL.

Background

Qualification for the Super League teams was changed to include the Challenge Cup winners, as well as the League Leaders and Grand Final winner. As the Leeds Rhinos claimed all three possible qualification positions the Super League Board decided to invite Super League semi-finalist St Helens to take part in the series.^[1]

The three National Rugby League teams were announced as the champion North Queensland Cowboys, the Brisbane Broncos, who were defeated in the grand final, and the minor premier Sydney Roosters.^[2]

Series details

Winners	Score	Runners-up
NRL	3 - 0	Super League

Game 1: Fourth Vs Minor Premiers

The match celebrated the 40th anniversary of the inaugural World Club Challenge, which involved both teams.^[1]

19 February 2016

St Helens	12 – 38	Sydney Roosters
Tries: Dominique Peyroux (42', 62') 2 Goals: Luke Walsh 2/2 (43', 64')	1st: 0 - 22 12 - 16	Tries: 2 (21', 54') Aiden Guerra 1 (15') Kane Evans 1 (26') Blake Ferguson 1 (37') Dale Copley 1 (52') Shaun Kenny-Dowall 1 (67') Daniel Tupou Goals: 5/7 Jackson Hastings (23', 27', 38', 53', 55')

Langtree Park, St Helens Attendance: 14,008 Referee/s: Ben Thaler Man of the Match: Kane Evans

Game 2: Grand Final runners-up

Game 2 was a repeat of last years fixture where Brisbane Broncos won 14-12 in golden point extra time.

20 February 2016

Wigan Warriors	12 – 42	Brisbane Broncos
Tries: Dan Sarginson (21') 1 George Williams (76') 1 Goals: Matty Smith 1/1 (22') Sam Powell 1/1 (77')	1st: 6 - 24 2nd: 6 - 18	Tries: 2 (10', 53') Corey Oates 2 (17', 57') Kodi Nikorima 1 (32') Matt Gillett 1 (39') Jarrod Wallace 1 (67') Greg Eden Goals: 6/6 Corey Parker (11', 18', 33', 54', 58', 68' 1/1 Jordan Kahu (40')

DW Stadium, Wigan Attendance: 19,103 Referee/s: Matt Cecchin Man of the Match: Anthony Milford

World Club Challenge

First time the two clubs had met since the 1997 World Club Championship tournament.

21 February 2016

Leeds Rhinos	4 – 38	North Queensland Cowboys
Tries: Rob Burrow (32') 1	1st: 4 - 4 2nd: 0 - 34	Tries: 2 (69', 76') Justin O'Neill 1 (22') Michael Morgan 1 (42') Kane Linnett 1 (49') Kyle Feldt 1 (62') Lachlan Coote 1 (64') Johnathan Thurston Goals: 5/7 Johnathan Thurston (43', 63', 66', 70', 78')

Headingley Stadium, Leeds Attendance: 19,778 Referee/s: Richard Silverwood Graham Murray Medal: Johnathan Thurston

Leeds Rhinos

Leeds won the Treble in 2015 in their most successful season. They beat Wigan Warriors 22-20 in the Grand Final to qualify for their 7th World Club Challenge.

North Queensland Cowboys

The Cowboys won their first Premiership in 2015 which was their 20th anniversary. They beat the Brisbane Broncos in extra time of the Grand Final to qualify for their first World Club Challenge.

Teams

References