Leeds Rhinos, fresh from a 20-6 drubbing by Wigan Warriors, take on Australia's Manly Warringah Sea Eagles on Saturday in the World Club Challenge match.
Super League champions the Rhinos take on the National Ruby League (NRL) champions Manly Sea Eagles for the trophy at Headingley Carnegie. It is the second time the two have clashed with the Sea Eagles winning 28-20 at Elland Road in 2009.
The Rhinos have played the NRL champions five times in eight years - winning against Canterbury in 2005 and Melbourne Storm in 2008.
With the Sea Eagles acclimatising to the cold and wet in the north of England, their new coach Geoff Toovey said he would be relying on tried and tested players to keep the team sharp.
"I think that is the key to any team's success, keeping that core base of players which we have managed to do. The same as Leeds have managed to do over the past few years. You need that core player. And our core of players are very strong, and mentally strong, and I think that has helped us get through this last period of off-season, and they are ready to play," Toovey said, adding they were tired of training and were ready for a game.
Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield said the team had to improve on their performance at Wigan, but had the advantage of having played recently.
"The best team won on Saturday night without a doubt and we need to be better on Friday. It'll be a complete round two so we are far from where we need to be yet but I don't think Manly has had a game yet so it'll be interesting on Friday and the fact that we have 160 minutes under our belt is hopefully going to be important for us," Sinfield said.
Rhinos head coach Brian McDermott described the World Club Challenge as "huge" for his team.
Much was being made of the conditions, with freezing cold weather probably giving way to much milder temperatures in time for the match.
Toovey said that his team were prepared for any conditions, especially as the match was a one-off.
"Not many of our players have been over here, there are a handful of internationals amongst them though, and they are used to playing in the conditions, the climate, over here so that will help us a little bit. But again a one-off game, as Brian said a one-off game, and our blokes will be up for it," he said.
McDermott said he thought his team had an advantage, having recently played two matches, while the conditions would be the same for both teams.
"If you look at the field out there it is wet, and I think most grounds are wet at the moment. And while Manly may not be used to the wet conditions, neither are we, nobody likes the wet conditions and you know we would rather be on a dry track so the field will be a leveller. But yeah I will concede that there will be an advantage that we have played two games."
Reuters