2016 World Club Series#World Club Challenge

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.[http://superleague.co.uk/article/33177/clubs-confirmed-for-2016-world Clubs confirmed for 2016 World Club Series], superleague.co.uk, 8 October 2015

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.{{cite news|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|publication-place=Sydney, NSW|title=Cowboys, Broncos and Roosters to represent NRL in World Club Series|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/north-queensland-cowboys/cowboys-broncos-and-roosters-to-represent-nrl-in-world-club-series-20151007-gk3i2b.html#ixzz3nsQb7YMz|date=7 October 2015|access-date=7 October 2015|author=Adrian Proszenko}}

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

{{rugbyleaguebox

| bg = #eeeeee

| date = 19 February 2016

| score = 12 – 38

| report = 1st: 0 - 22
12 - 16

| team1 = {{leagueicon|St Helens|16}} St. Helens

| team2 = {{leagueicon|Sydney|16}} Sydney Roosters

| points1 = Tries:
Dominique Peyroux (42', 62') 2
Goals:
Luke Walsh 2/2
(43', 64')

| points2 = 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')

| stadium = Langtree Park, St. Helens

| attendance = 14,008

| referee ={{flagicon|ENG}} Ben Thaler

| manofmatch = {{leagueicon|Sydney Roosters|16}} Kane Evans

}}

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

{{rugbyleaguebox

| bg = #eeeeee

| date = 20 February 2016

| score = 12 – 42

| report = 1st: 6 - 24
2nd: 6 - 18

| team1 = Wigan Warriors {{leagueicon|Wigan|16}}

| team2 = {{leagueicon|Brisbane|16}} Brisbane Broncos

| points1 = Tries:
Dan Sarginson (21') 1
George Williams (76') 1
Goals:
Matty Smith 1/1
(22')
Sam Powell 1/1
(77')

| points2 = 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')

| stadium = DW Stadium, Wigan

| attendance = 19,103

| referee ={{flagicon|AUS}} Matt Cecchin

| manofmatch = {{leagueicon|Brisbane|16}} Anthony Milford

}}

File:Headingley - 10923051926.jpg hosted the match]]

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

{{rugbyleaguebox

| bg = #eeeeee

| date = 21 February 2016

| score = 4 – 38

| report = 1st: 4 - 4
2nd: 0 - 34

| team1 = Leeds Rhinos {{leagueicon|Leeds|16}}

| team2 = {{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} North Queensland Cowboys

| points1 = Tries:
Rob Burrow (32') 1
Mitch Garbutt {{sent off|0|72}}

| points2 = 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 {{yel|72}}
Goals:
5/7 Johnathan Thurston
(43', 63', 66', 70', 78')

| stadium = Headingley, Leeds

| attendance = 19,778

| referee ={{flagicon|ENG}} Richard Silverwood
Graham Murray Medal: {{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} Johnathan Thurston

| manofmatch =

}}

{{See also|2015 Leeds Rhinos season|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.

{{See also|2015 North Queensland Cowboys season|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.

{{reflist}}

{{2016 in rugby league}}

{{World Club Challenge}}

{{North Queensland Cowboys - 2016 World Club Challenge winners}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:World Club Series}}

Category:2016 in Australian rugby league

Category:2016 in English rugby league

2016