Which club won the 2018 World Club Challenge by defeating Leeds Rhinos 38–4?
Answer
Melbourne Storm
Melbourne Storm won the 2018 World Club Challenge by defeating Leeds Rhinos 38–4.
The match was played at AAMI Park in Melbourne on 16 February 2018. Melbourne qualified as the 2017 NRL premiers, while Leeds qualified as the 2017 Super League champions. The fixture therefore matched the leading club teams from Australia and England.
Melbourne dominated the contest, scoring seven tries and conceding only one. Winger Suliasi Vunivalu scored twice, and the Storm’s combination of structured attack and aggressive defence prevented Leeds from building sustained pressure.
The World Club Challenge is an annual or near-annual meeting between the champions of the NRL and Super League, although its format and scheduling have changed over time. This match is distinct from the 2019 World Club Challenge, when Sydney Roosters defeated Wigan Warriors. The 2018 result gave Melbourne its third World Club Challenge title.