2017 World Club Series

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.

2017 Dacia World Club Series
LeagueWorld Club Series
Duration2 games
Teams4
Highest attendance21,011 Wigan Warriors vs
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Lowest attendance12,082 Warrington Wolves vs
Brisbane Broncos
Broadcast partnersUnited Kingdom Sky Sports
United Kingdom BBC Sport
United Kingdom SLTV
Australia Nine Network
France beIN Sport
United States Fox Soccer Plus
Europe Sport Klub
2017 Series
World Champions Wigan Warriors
Runners-up Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Biggest home win Warrington Wolves 27–18 Brisbane Broncos
Biggest away win Warrington Wolves 27–18 Brisbane Broncos
Top point-scorer(s) Joe Burgess (12)
Top try-scorer(s) Joe Burgess (3)

Background

In 2016 it was suggested that the 2017 Series could be expanded to 8 teams. Two games would be played in Australia and two would be played in the UK with the World Club Challenge alternating each year.

Plans to expand the series were quashed when the NRL Grand Final runners up Melbourne Storm announced they would not be participating due to it interfering with their pre-season.[1] 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
England Super League 2–0 Australia NRL

Game 1: Warrington Vs Brisbane
18 February[2]
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		 [3]
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: England 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
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')		 [4]
1st: 10 – 0
2nd: 12 – 6
 Tries:
1 (59') Jesse Ramien
Goals:
1/1 James Maloney
(60')
DW Stadium, Wigan
Attendance: 21,011
Referee: England 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. "Melbourne Storm confirm World Club Challenge stance". 10 October 2016. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  2. "World Club Series announced". 21 October 2016.
  3. "Warrington 27-18 Brisbane". BBC Sport.
  4. "Wigan Warriors 22-6 Cronulla Sharks". BBC Sport.
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