Are you a rugby league fan? If so, then chances are you witnessed St. Helens' memorable victory against the Penrith Panthers in the recent World Club Challenge.
The victory was a momentous one for a number of reasons.
Oddschecker, which compares rugby odds and free offers, made the hosts huge favourites for glory, primarily down to the fact that no English side had won on Australian soil in 29 years.
Add to that the fact that Australian clubs have lifted the coveted trophy on nine of the last 12 occasions.
If that wasn't enough, the Panthers have reached the NRL Grand Final in each of the last three seasons, lifting the trophy on two of those three occasions. It's safe to say that the Australian side were good value for their tag of favorites.
Add to that the fact that Australian clubs have lifted the coveted trophy on nine of the last 12 occasions. If that wasn't enough, the Panthers have reached the NRL Grand Final in each of the last three seasons, lifting the trophy on two of those three occasions. It's safe to say that the Australian side were good value for their tag of favorites.
With the recent game that took place on February 2nd finely poised at 12-12, the tie headed to extra time. There, scrum-half Lewis Dodd sealed the victory with a golden point drop goal. That sparked delirium both in the stadium and in the UK, with the victory garnering the attention of national media outlets.
In honour of the Saints' memorable victory, we'll be taking a look back at the last four world club challenge finals, reliving some of history's most memorable matches.
2020: Sydney Roosters 20-12 St. Helen's
Due to global events, the World Club Challenge was cancelled in both 2021 and 202. 2Therefore, prior to St Helen's victory in 2023, the most recent match between Australia and England's finest took place in 2020, and it was a close one.
That year, the Sydney Roosters - the most successful team in NRL history with 21 titles to their name - faced off against a St. Helen's side, who were just starting to put the pieces of their dynasty together. The match was a thrilling one that saw both teams put up some tough defence. The Roosters ultimately won on English soil with tries from Daniel Tupou, Joseph Manu and Luke Keary.
2019: Sydney Roosters 20-8 Wigan Warriors
The year before, the Roosters were once again in the showpiece match. This time they faced off against the Wigan Warriors and, once again, the game took place on enemy territory. But as was the case in 2020, it was the Roosters who would come out victorious. Joseph Manu was once again on the scoresheet, as was Brett Morris, who scored a blistering hat trick and he was simply too hot for the opposition to handle.
2018: Melbourne Storm 38-4 Leeds Rhinos
Five years ago, the biggest prize in international club rugby league was contested between the Melbourne Storm and the Leeds Rhinos. And on this occasion, it was the Australian side who ran out as convincing victors. The visitors took the lead in Melbourne courtesy of Ryan Hall's early try. However, after that, it was all Storm.
Seven tries from seven different try scorers, namely Jesse Bromwich, Brodie Croft, Suliasi Vunivalu, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Felise Kaufusi, Will Chambers and Dale Finucane, gave the hosts a convincing lead. Five conversions out of eight from Cameron Smith put the gloss on a perfect performance from the Storm.
2017: Wigan Warriors 22-6 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Prior to St. Helen's heroics last month, you had to go all the way back to 2017 for England's last victory. That was delivered by the Wigan Warriors, who saw off the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in front of over 21,000 at the DW Stadium. The win was just the second English victory in nine years and the first since 2012, and the Warriors were good value for it.
A hat trick from Joe Burgess and a further try from Australia's own Oliver Gildart gave the hosts a comfortable victory. Jesse Ramien's consolation for the visitors was too little too late.
