World Club Challenge: Melbourne Storm 38-4 Leeds Rhinos - Dar East Project

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World Club Challenge: Melbourne Storm 38-4 Leeds Rhinos

World Club Challenge: Melbourne Storm 38-4 Leeds Rhinos

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World Club Challenge
Melbourne Storm (18) 38
Tries: J Bromwich, Croft, Vunivalu, Asofa-Solomona, Kaufusi, Chambers, Finucane Goals: Smith 4, Munster
Leeds Rhinos (4) 4
Try: Hall

Leeds Rhinos missed out on a record-equalling fourth World Club Challenge win, losing 38-4 to Melbourne Storm.

The Rhinos put in a dogged display against the reigning NRL champions, but Storm proved too strong on home soil.

Leeds led early with Ryan Hall's try, before Storm responded through Jesse Bromwich, Brodie Croft and Suliasi Vunivalu to lead 18-4 at half-time.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Felise Kaufusi, Will Chambers and Dale Finucane sealed a convincing Melbourne victory.

    Relive Melbourne's World Club Challenge win over Leeds

Leeds were not helped by injuries suffered by Jack Walker and Stevie Ward, which left them short on numbers during an energy-sapping second half.

Melbourne lost Billy Slater to a shoulder problem at half-time, but Storm pressed on without their World Cup-winning full-back to repeat their World Club Challenge wins of 2010 and 2013 over the Rhinos.

Storm have joined Wigan on four World Club Challenge victories, although their 2010 success was expunged because they breached salary cap regulations.

While Leeds have already played - and won - twice in Super League this season, Melbourne do not start their National Rugby League campaign until 10 March.

However, there was little sign of on-field rustiness from the hosts, who ran in 38 unanswered points following the early score by England winger Hall.

Australian sides have now won five of the past six annual World Club Challenge matches, with Wigan's 2017 victory over Cronulla the solitary success for a Super League club since Leeds' most recent win in 2012.

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