News: We’re hoodoo gurus

<div class="module-header"> <p class="article-info"><em class="timestamp">27 Feb 09 @ 06:05pm</em><em class="byline"> by JASON AVEDISSIAN in the Manly Daily
</em></p> </div> <div class="content-item media media-caption"> <div class="media-caption-inner"> <div class="media-image"> <img src="http://images.whereilive.com.au/images/uploads/2009/02/27/a0d2be8c8c47f914565493fab0c4bc97_resized.jpg" border="0" alt="We’re hoodoo gurus" /> </div> <p>Manly will be the first Australian team in six years to win the World Club Challenge if they beat Leeds on Monday.</p> </div> </div> <p>TWO key members of the last Australian side to win the World Club Challenge believe the Sea Eagles will end the NRL’s “hoodoo” in England. </p> <p> Roosters pair Craig Fitzgibbon and Luke Ricketson were part of Ricky Stuart’s victorious squad in 2003. </p> <p> It’s the last time an Australia team won, with miserable English weather accounting for five clubs since. </p> <p>But now both representative forwards are convinced Hasler’s premiers have what it takes to beat Leeds on Monday morning, becoming the first team in six years to claim the WCC. </p> <p> “I just think Manly are going to win,” Fitzgibbon told The Manly Daily on Friday. </p> <p> “The confidence they have got in the club at the moment is very high. </p> <p>“I know they played the Harlequins last weekend in a trial, but their last match (the grand final) they played the NRL benchmark team and beat them by 40 points. </p> <p> “I think they will beat the hoodoo, if there is one.” </p> <p> Ricketson said Manly is better prepared to down the Rhinos on their own patch at Elland Road. </p> <p> “They have done the right thing by going over a bit early,” he explained. </p> <p>“We had a game of grab the week before against one of the English sides, but Manly have actually got down and dirty and had a game. </p> <p> “It’s going to put them in a better position then we were to win. </p> <p>“Des also seems very similar as a coach to Ricky Stuart, they have got the same ideas about winning, so I think Manly will be ready with the right attitude.” </p> <p> Manly skipper Matt Orford said the pressure is on his team to ensure the silverware returns to Australia. </p> <p> “There are always high expectations, especially after winning the comp,” he said. </p> <p> “But we know what we are up against here. </p> <p> “Leeds are a quality team and are the benchmark of the competition over here. </p> <p>“With the preparation we’ve had, we’ve put the emphasis on this game and how important it is for a Sydney team to try and bring this trophy back. </p><p> “It’s fairly important for the club and a little bit of history at the same time.” </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/we-re-hoodoo-gurus/ </p>

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