2023 World Club Challenge
{{Short description|Rugby league competition}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox rugby league football match
|year=2023
|title=World Club Challenge
|image=World_Club_Challenge_Penrith_2023.jpg
|imagesize=250px
|caption=Penrith Stadium during the match
|home=Penrith Panthers
|away=St Helens
|home_league=NRL
|away_league=Super League
|home_abbr=PEN {{leagueicon|Penrith|16}}
|away_abbr=STH {{leagueicon|St Helens|16}}
|home_half1=0
|home_half2=12
|home_total=12
|away_half1=10
|away_half2=2
|away_gp1 =1
|away_total=13
|date=18 February 2023
|stadium=BlueBet Stadium
|location=Sydney, Australia
|MoM_title = Man of the Match
|MoM= Jack Welsby (St Helens)
|referee=Ashley Klein (Australia)
|attendance= 13,873
|network={{flagicon|AUS}} Fox League
|network2={{flagicon|NZL}} Māori Television
|network3={{flagicon|UK}} Sky Sports
|network4={{flagicon|UK}} Channel 4
|commentators=Andrew Voss
|commentators2=Greg Alexander
|commentators3=Matt Russell (sideline)
|tournaments=World Club Challenge
|last=2020
|next=2024
}}
The 2023 World Club Challenge (known as the 2023 Betfred World Club Challenge for sponsorship reasons) was the 29th staging of the World Club Challenge. The match was contested by the NRL winners Penrith Panthers, and Super League champions St Helens.{{Cite web|url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/world-club-challenge-to-return-in-2023-as-channel-4-confirm-coverage/|title=World Club Challenge to return in 2023 as Channel 4 confirm coverage|first=Josh|last=McAllister|date=10 November 2022|website=LoveRugbyLeague}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.superleague.co.uk/article/3192/saints-to-face-panthers-in-world-club-challenge|title=Saints to face Panthers in World Club Challenge|website=www.superleague.co.uk}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/amp/rugby-league/news/12196/12784313/world-club-challenge-how-to-watch-st-helens-clash-with-penrith-panthers-and-nrl-pre-season-challenge-games-on-sky|title=World Club Challenge: How to watch St Helens' clash with Penrith Panthers and NRL Pre-Season Challenge games on Sky|website=Sky Sports}}
Background
{{see also|2023 NRL pre-season results}}
The challenge was played for the first time since 2020 as the global COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of the intervening fixtures.{{cite web |title=Panthers v St Helens: Martin to miss; Knowles returns |url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2023/02/13/panthers-v-st-helens-cleary-yeo-and-co-return-makinson-on-track/ |website=National Rugby League |access-date=14 February 2023 |date=14 February 2023}}
=Penrith Panthers=
{{further|2022 Penrith Panthers season|2022 NRL Grand Final}}
Penrith defeated Parramatta Eels in the 2022 NRL Grand Final, which qualified them for the 2023 World Club Challenge.
=St Helens=
{{further|2022 St Helens RLFC season|2022 Super League Grand Final}}
St Helens and the Leeds Rhinos competed in the 2022 Super League Grand Final, for a record fifth time at Old Trafford, which saw St Helens win 24–12.
Pre-match
=Team selection=
Following the departures of Viliame Kikau, Apisai Koroisau, and Charlie Staines to other clubs, Penrith fielded a team with 11 members of their 2022 grand final team. 2022 Clive Churchill Medallist and regular fullback Dylan Edwards missed the match through injury,{{cite web |last1=Blyth |first1=Jack |title=Penrith reveal reason behind Edwards' World Club Challenge absence |url=https://www.zerotackle.com/penrith-reveal-reason-behind-edwards-world-club-challenge-absence-131070/ |website=Zero Tackle |access-date=7 March 2023 |date=17 February 2023}} with Liam Martin and Scott Sorensen also absent through injury concerns.{{cite web |title=Penrith lose duo for World Club Challenge |url=https://www.espn.com.au/nrl/story/_/id/35656266/penrith-lose-edwards-martin-world-club-challenge |website=espn.com.au |access-date=7 March 2023 |date=14 February 2023}}
=Officiating=
Australian referee Ashley Klein was selected to referee his third World Club Challenge, having previously been in charge of the 2008 and 2012 fixtures.
Match
=Summary=
The match was originally scheduled to kick off at 18:00 AEDT but due to the extreme heat and humidity forecast for that time, the kick off time was put back to 18:50 AEDT.{{cite news |last1=Darbyshire |first1=Drew |title=World Club Challenge kick-off time knocked back due to extreme heat |url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/world-club-challenge-st-helens-penrith-panthers-2/ |access-date=14 February 2023 |work=LoveRugbyLeague |date=14 February 2023}} The NRL also announced that the game will be played in four quarters of 20 minutes each, with each team allowed an additional interchange player and two extra interchanges allowed during the match.{{cite news |last1=Walker |first1=Callum |title=Four important rule changes for World Club Challenge clash as St Helens aim up to Penrith Panthers |url=https://www.totalrl.com/four-important-rule-changes-for-world-club-challenge-clash-as-st-helens-aim-up-to-penrith-panthers/ |access-date=14 February 2023 |work=TotalRL.com |date=14 February 2023}} Despite the forecast, a large storm hit the stadium shortly before kick-off, with torrential rain falling for a lot of the match.
St Helens scored twice early through Jack Welsby and Konrad Hurrell, eventually taking a 10-0 lead to half time.
After an extended half time break due to lightning above the stadium, Penrith finally got on the board in the 52nd minute through Izack Tago, before St Helens added a penalty goal to extend their lead to 12-6.
Saints looked to have won the match with two minutes remaining, but Brian To'o scored a try to bring Penrith to within two points, before Nathan Cleary kicked the conversion, to send the match to extra time.
St Helens eventually won the match 13–12, after a knock on from Penrith gave Saints possession near the halfway line, before Lewis Dodd kicked the winning drop goal.{{cite news |title=St Helens stun Penrith to win World Club Challenge |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/64666651 |work=BBC Sport}}
=Details=
{{rugbyleaguebox
|bg= #f1f5fc
|date= 18 February 2023
|score=12–13 {{goldenpt}}
|1sthalf=0–10
|2ndhalf=12–2
ET: 0–1
|report= [https://www.nrl.com/news/2023/02/18/golden-field-goal-lifts-st-helens-to-world-club-challenge-title/ Report]
|team1=Penrith Panthers {{leagueicon|penrith|16}}
|try1= 2
Tago {{try|53}}
To'o {{try|79}}
|goal1= 2
Cleary {{kick|54|80}} {{small|(2/2)}}
|team2={{leagueicon|St Helens|16}} St Helens
|try2= 2
Welsby {{try|9}}
Hurrell {{try|17}}
|goal2= 2
Makinson {{kick|10}} {{small|(1/2)}}
Percival {{kick|pen 44}} {{small|(1/1)}}
|drop2=1
Dodd {{kick|83}}
|stadium=BlueBet Stadium, Sydney
|attendance=13,873
|referee= Ashley Klein (Australia)
|touch= Darian Furner (Australia), Dave Munro (Australia)
|manofmatch= Jack Welsby (St Helens)
}}
{{clear}}
{{Rugby league match squad
| collapsed = n
| align = center
| hometeam = Penrith Panthers
| homeBorder = grey
| homeBGcolour = black
| homeFGcolour = white
| awayteam = St Helens
| awayBorder = red
| awayBGcolour = white
| awayFGcolour = red
| squadsize = 18
| location = SN
| abbr = n
| titleIN5 = Interchange
| homeCoach = {{flagicon|Australia}} Ivan Cleary
| homeFB = Stephen Crichton
| homeWG1 = Taylan May
| homeCE1 = Izack Tago
| homeCE2 = Sunia Turuva
| homeWG2 = Brian To'o
| homeSO = Jarome Luai
| homeSH = Nathan Cleary (c)
| homePR1 = Moses Leota
| homeHK = Mitch Kenny
| homePR2 = James Fisher-Harris
| homeSR1 = Luke Garner
| homeSR2 = Zac Hosking
| homeLF = Isaah Yeo
| homeIN1 = Jack Cogger
| homeIN2 = Matthew Eisenhuth
| homeIN3 = Spencer Leniu
| homeIN4 = Jaeman Salmon
| homeIN5 = Lindsay Smith
| awayCoach = {{flagicon|England}} Paul Wellens
| awayFB = Jack Welsby
| awayWG1 = Tommy Makinson
| awayCE1 = Konrad Hurrell
| awayCE1num = 23
| awayCE2 = Mark Percival
| awayWG2 = Will Hopoate
| awayWG2num = 3
| awaySO = Jonny Lomax
| awaySH = Lewis Dodd
| awayPR1 = Alex Walmsley
| awayHK = James Roby (c)
| awayPR2 = Matty Lees
| awaySR1 = Sione Mata'utia
| awaySR2 = Curtis Sironen
| awaySR2num = 16
| awayLF = Morgan Knowles
| awayIN1 = Joey Lussick
| awayIN2 = Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook
| awayIN3 = Agnatius Paasi
| awayIN3num = 17
| awayIN4 = Jake Wingfield
| awayIN4num = 18
| awayIN5 = James Bell
| awayIN5num = 19
| source = [https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/world-club-challenge-2023/game-1/penrith-vs-st-helens.html RLP]
}}
=Statistics=
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" | ||
| width=200|Statistic
!width=120|Penrith Panthers !width=120|St Helens | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tries | 2 | 2 |
| Conversions | 2 | 1 |
| Penalty goals (attempts) | 0 (0) | 1 (1) |
| Field goals (attempts) | 0 (0) | 1 (3) |
| colspan=3| Possession | ||
| Possession | 49% | 51% |
| Total sets | 48 | 47 |
| Completed sets | 34 | 37 |
| Completion rate | 70% | 78% |
| colspan=3| Attacking | ||
| All runs | 203 | 197 |
| All run metres | 1740 | 1602 |
| Line breaks | 1 | 3 |
| Offloads | 5 | 10 |
| colspan=3| Defending | ||
| Kick metres | 614 | 861 |
| 40/20 | 0 | 0 |
| Tackles | 415 | 409 |
| Missed tackles | 29 | 41 |
| Goal line dropouts | 1 | 2 |
| Try saves | 0 | 0 |
| colspan=3| Discipline | ||
| Penalties conceded | 3 | 6 |
| Errors | 16 | 11 |
| Send offs | 0 | 0 |
| Sin bins | 0 | 0 |
| colspan="3"|Reference: [https://www.nrl.com/draw/pre-season-trials/2023/round-2/panthers-v-saints/ NRL Match Centre] |
{{col-2}}
Penrith Panthers:
- Most runs: 26 – Stephen Crichton
- Most running metres: 214 – Stephen Crichton
- Most line breaks: 1 – Taylan May
- Most tackles: 51 – Zac Hosking
- Most missed tackles: 5 – Mitch Kenny
- Most errors: 3 – Nathan Cleary
St Helens:
- Most runs: 21 –
- Will Hopoate
- Alex Walmsley
- Most running metres: 181 – Alex Walmsley
- Most line breaks: 1 –
- Konrad Hurrell
- Mark Percival
- Curtis Sironen
- Most tackles: 50 –
- James Roby
- Morgan Knowles
- Most missed tackles: 7 – Morgan Knowles
- Most errors: 3 – Jack Welsby
{{col-end}}
Broadcasting
The match was broadcast in Australia on subscription television channel Fox League and streamed via Kayo Sports. In the United Kingdom, Channel 4 and Sky Sports showed the match live.{{cite web |last1=Molyneaux |first1=Mark |title=World Club Challenge 2023: When is it, how to watch, who is playing, preview |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/rugby-league/news/world-club-challenge-2023-when-it-how-watch-who-playing-preview/nabqm3uhc0hliok4bnrb5bjt |website=The Sporting News |access-date=22 March 2023 |date=16 February 2023}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{2023 in rugby league}}
{{World Club Challenge}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:World Club Challenge}}
Category:2023 in Australian rugby league
Category:2023 in English rugby league
Category:Penrith Panthers matches
Category:St Helens R.F.C. matches