2016 World Club Series

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.

2016 Dacia World Club Series
League	World Club Series
Duration	3 games
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
Biggest away win	Wigan Warriors 12–42 Brisbane Broncos
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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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]

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')

19 February 2016

Langtree Park, St. Helens Attendance: 14,008 Referee: Ben Thaler Player 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.

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')

20 February 2016

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

World Club Challenge

Headingley hosted the match

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

Leeds Rhinos	4 – 38	North Queensland Cowboys
Tries: Rob Burrow (32') 1 Mitch Garbutt  72'	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 James Tamou  72' Goals: 5/7 Johnathan Thurston (43', 63', 66', 70', 78')

21 February 2016

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

Leeds Rhinos

See also: 2015 Leeds Rhinos season and Super League XX

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

See also: 2015 North Queensland Cowboys season and 2015 NRL season

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

Teams

2016 World Club Challenge Teams

Leeds Rhinos	Posit.	North Queensland Cowboys
Zak Hardaker	Fullback	Lachlan Coote
Ash Handley	Winger	Kyle Feldt
Kallum Watkins	Centre	Justin O'Neill
Joel Moon	Centre	Kane Linnett
Ryan Hall	Winger	Antonio Winterstein
Liam Sutcliffe	Five-eighth	Michael Morgan
Jordan Lilley	Halfback	Johnathan Thurston (c)
Adam Cuthbertson	Prop	Matthew Scott (c)
Rob Burrow (c)	Hooker	Jake Granville
Keith Galloway	Prop	James Tamou
Brett Ferres	Second Row	Gavin Cooper
Brett Delaney	Second Row	Ethan Lowe
Brad Singleton	Lock	Jason Taumalolo
Mitch Garbutt	Interchange	Rory Kostjasyn
Jimmy Keinhorst	Interchange	John Asiata
Anthony Mullally	Interchange	Scott Bolton
Josh Walters	Interchange	Ben Hannant
Brian McDermott	Coach	Paul Green