2017 World Club Series

2017 Dacia World Club Series
League	World Club Series
Duration	2 games
Teams	4
Highest attendance	21,011 Wigan Warriors vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Lowest attendance	12,082 Warrington Wolves vs Brisbane Broncos
Broadcast partners	Sky Sports BBC Sport SLTV Nine Network beIN Sport Fox Soccer Plus Sport Klub
2017 Series
World Champions	Wigan Warriors
Series Winners	Super League
Runners-up	Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Top point-scorer(s)	Joe Burgess (12)
Top try-scorer(s)	Joe Burgess (3)

The 2017 World Club Series (also known as the 2017 Dacia World Club Series) was the third staging of the World Club Series and featured two Super League teams and two National Rugby League (NRL) teams. The series included the World Club Challenge, a one-off match between the champions of the Super League and NRL.

Background

In 2016, it was suggested that future World Club Series could be expanded to eight teams,[1] but several NRL clubs were resistant to this plan.[2] In October 2016, NRL Grand Final runners up Melbourne Storm announced they would not be participating due to it interfering with their pre-season.[3]

The Brisbane Broncos were the only side that finished in the top 8 from that season that accepted an invitation to play meaning the series would be reduced to only two teams. Challenge Cup winners Hull F.C. would consequently not be able to participate as no game could be arranged.

Series details

Series Score

Winners	Score	Runners-up
Super League	2–0	NRL

Game 1: Warrington Vs Brisbane

18 February[4]

Warrington Wolves	27 – 18	Brisbane Broncos
Tries: Kevin Brown (2') 1 Ryan Atkins (14') 1 Matthew Russell (18') 1 Tom Lineham (39') 1 Goals: Declan Patton 5/6 (3', 7' pen, 15', 19', 66' pen) Field Goals: Declan Patton (63') 1	[5] 1st: 24 – 6 2nd: 3 – 12	Tries: 1 (26') Corey Oates 1 (44') James Roberts 1 (72') David Mead Goals: 3/3 Jordan Kahu (27', 46', 72')

Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington Attendance: 12,082 Referee: Phil Bentham Player of the Match: Kevin Brown

Warrington are the first Super League team to beat a NRL team in 5 years, and 8 games.

World Club Challenge

The DW Stadium hosted the match

19 February

Wigan Warriors	22 – 6	Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Tries: Joe Burgess (3', 23', 80') 3 Oliver Gildart (45') 1 Goals: Morgan Escare 2/3 (25',46') Sam Powell 1/1 (80')	[6] 1st: 10 – 0 2nd: 12 – 6	Tries: 1 (59') Jesse Ramien Goals: 1/1 James Maloney (60')

DW Stadium, Wigan Attendance: 21,011 Referee: Robert Hicks Player of the Match: George Williams

This series was the first victory for Super League since the conception of the World Club Series, after the NRL won the last two series.

References

1. "Super League keen to develop World Club Series despite whitewash". The Guardian. 22 February 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
2. "Wayne Bennett backs World Club Series in face of growing Australian opposition". The Guardian. 11 October 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
3. "Melbourne Storm confirm World Club Challenge stance". 10 October 2016. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
4. "World Club Series announced". 21 October 2016.
5. "Warrington 27-18 Brisbane". BBC Sport.
6. "Wigan Warriors 22-6 Cronulla Sharks". BBC Sport.