Berkeley_Eagle
Current Status: 24/7 Manly Fan
Manly won't hold back
25/02/2009 5:13 AM
PA Sport
Australian champions Manly Sea Eagles will not be holding back when they take on Leeds Rhinos on Sunday, according to captain Matt Orford.
The Sea Eagles are determined to end Super League's domination of the annual Carnegie World Club Challenge and believe they are the best prepared of all the Australian teams to visit England in the last 10 years.
"With the preparation the club have done to put the emphasis on this game, we know how important it is for a Sydney team to try and bring the trophy back," said Orford.
"It's important for the club. We've worked very hard to put ourselves in this position and we don't want to let ourselves down.
"We're going to put everything we've got into the game. If we go in with the mentality we used last year, we are going to give ourselves a chance."
Former St Helens centre Jamie Lyon, the 2005 Super League Man of Steel, is the only current Manly player with experience of English conditions and coach Des Hasler, who played for the club in the inaugural World Club Challenge at Wigan in 1987, believes the weather conditions could play a key role.
Brisbane Broncos famously endured a snowstorm at Bolton in 2001 and a year ago strong winds and driving rain greeted Melbourne Storm at Elland Road.
But the Manly squad trained in spring-like weather at Leeds Met University on Tuesday after arriving in Yorkshire from London following its warm-up match against Harlequins.
"The conditions are quite good and if, it's like this on Sunday, we'll be more than pleased," said Hasler.
"It will come down to the conditions. I know the English weather is pretty fickle but, if it stays like this, the fans can expect a pretty open, fast game of football."
Hasler will name his team at a joint press conference with the Rhinos on Thursday but will definitely be without World Cup prop Brent Kite, who remained in Australia on compassionate leave.
"We're going to miss Brent," admitted Orford. "He was a major part of what we did last year. But there's some young guys here who might get a chance."
The Sea Eagles have been doing their homework on the Rhinos, who have already played three Super League matches and remain undefeated despite a string of injuries to key players.
"We know what we're up against," said Orford. "They're a quality team, they're the benchmark of the game over here.
"They're a big powerful team and a disciplined team who are very well-drilled. It's going to be a great test for us."
25/02/2009 5:13 AM
PA Sport
Australian champions Manly Sea Eagles will not be holding back when they take on Leeds Rhinos on Sunday, according to captain Matt Orford.
The Sea Eagles are determined to end Super League's domination of the annual Carnegie World Club Challenge and believe they are the best prepared of all the Australian teams to visit England in the last 10 years.
"With the preparation the club have done to put the emphasis on this game, we know how important it is for a Sydney team to try and bring the trophy back," said Orford.
"It's important for the club. We've worked very hard to put ourselves in this position and we don't want to let ourselves down.
"We're going to put everything we've got into the game. If we go in with the mentality we used last year, we are going to give ourselves a chance."
Former St Helens centre Jamie Lyon, the 2005 Super League Man of Steel, is the only current Manly player with experience of English conditions and coach Des Hasler, who played for the club in the inaugural World Club Challenge at Wigan in 1987, believes the weather conditions could play a key role.
Brisbane Broncos famously endured a snowstorm at Bolton in 2001 and a year ago strong winds and driving rain greeted Melbourne Storm at Elland Road.
But the Manly squad trained in spring-like weather at Leeds Met University on Tuesday after arriving in Yorkshire from London following its warm-up match against Harlequins.
"The conditions are quite good and if, it's like this on Sunday, we'll be more than pleased," said Hasler.
"It will come down to the conditions. I know the English weather is pretty fickle but, if it stays like this, the fans can expect a pretty open, fast game of football."
Hasler will name his team at a joint press conference with the Rhinos on Thursday but will definitely be without World Cup prop Brent Kite, who remained in Australia on compassionate leave.
"We're going to miss Brent," admitted Orford. "He was a major part of what we did last year. But there's some young guys here who might get a chance."
The Sea Eagles have been doing their homework on the Rhinos, who have already played three Super League matches and remain undefeated despite a string of injuries to key players.
"We know what we're up against," said Orford. "They're a quality team, they're the benchmark of the game over here.
"They're a big powerful team and a disciplined team who are very well-drilled. It's going to be a great test for us."
