Summary

  • Wigan win record fourth World Club Challenge

  • Joe Burgess scored hat-trick for Wigan

  • Oliver Gildart crossed in second half

  • Jesse Ramien replied for Cronulla

  • Warrington beat Brisbane 27-18 on Saturday

  1. Here come the teamspublished at 15:02 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2017

    Wigan Warriors v Cronulla Sharks (15:00 GMT)

    It wouldn't be rugby league without a bit of a delay to kick-off, but the teams have taken the field at a packed DW Stadium.

    Not long to go now...

  2. Noble tips Wigan to winpublished at 14:59 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2017

    Wigan Warriors v Cronulla Sharks (15:00 GMT)

    Brian Noble
    Ex-Great Britain coach on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    Wigan are bigger than they've been in a number of years. It's whether Cronulla are up to speed. I'm confident Wigan will be and I'm tipping them.

  3. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 14:57 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2017

    #bbcrl

    So, will it be title number four for Wigan, or World Club Challenge glory at the first attempt for Sharks?

    Send us your thoughts and predictions using #bbcrl.

    Avik Mitra: Made up for the Wire. But win more important for Super League reputation. Now come on Wigan...!

  4. Postpublished at 14:55 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2017

    Wigan Warriors v Cronulla Sharks (15:00 GMT)

    Are half-and-half scarves a thing in rugby league as well? Seems that way...

    Wigan v Cronulla scarvesImage source, Getty Images
  5. Cronulla team newspublished at 14:53 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2017

    Wigan Warriors v Cronulla Sharks (15:00 GMT)

    Luke Lewis, Matt Prior and Wade GrahamImage source, Getty Images

    Cronulla have 13 of the 17 players that won October's Grand Final against Melbourne Storm in their squad to face Wigan today.

    Clive Churchill Medal winner Luke Lewis and Andrew Fifita, who scored the match-clinching try, are both in the forward pack.

    Cronulla's side isn't filled with star names, but they do have plenty of quality.

    Cronulla: Beale; Ramien, Bird, Leutele, Capewell; Maloney, Townsend; Fifita, Brailey, Prior, Lewis, Graham, Gallen.

    Subs: Brown, Heighington, Bukuya, Tagataese.

  6. 'Warrington win whetted the appetite'published at 14:51 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2017

    Wigan Warriors v Cronulla Sharks (15:00 GMT)

    John Kear
    Wales coach on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    I think last night whetted everybody's appetites. We were all entering with a bit of trepidation after the three Super League clubs had got walloped last season.

    But I thought Warrington were superb and the entertainment value was through the roof.

    When you play a full half of rugby league against a defence as good as Brisbane's and you don't make an error, that is elite sport at its very best.

    All it's done is made me more excited for today, when I feel Wigan can do a job on Cronulla.

  7. Wigan team newspublished at 14:49 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2017

    Wigan Warriors v Cronulla Sharks (15:00 GMT)

    John BatemanImage source, Rex Features

    Wigan make just one change from the team which beat Salford in their Super League opener, with John Bateman replacing Willie Isa in the starting line-up.

    Wigan: Escare; Tierney, Gelling, Gildart, Burgess; Williams, Leuluai; Nuuausala, Powell, Flower, Bateman, Farrell, O'Loughlin.

    Subs: Tomkins, Clubb, Tautai, Sutton.

  8. Cronulla's fairytale seasonpublished at 14:46 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2017

    Wigan Warriors v Cronulla Sharks (15:00 GMT)

    Cronulla-Sutherland SharksImage source, Getty Images

    Let's take a moment to talk about Wigan's opponents.

    Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks ended a 49-year wait for their first NRL title last season, but they didn't make it easy, scraping out a 14-12 victory over Melbourne Storm in the Grand Final.

    Sharks have retained much of the team which led them to glory in 2016, though influential hooker Michael Ennis has since retired, leaving a big gap to fill in the forwards.

  9. 'A lot at stake for Super League'published at 14:44 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2017

    Wigan Warriors v Cronulla Sharks (15:00 GMT)

    Wigan Warriors coach Shaun Wane spoke to BBC Radio 5 live sports extra a little earlier on.

    Wane, who played in Wigan's 1987 World Club Challenge win, said: "It's the biggest of big games. The lads have trained well this week and they're all up for a tough game.

    "There's a lot at stake for Super League, the pressure's on us and we need to deliver."

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  10. Postpublished at 14:42 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2017

    Wigan Warriors v Cronulla Sharks (15:00 GMT)

    Wigan coach Shaun Wane and his players seem in a relaxed mood ahead of today's game...

    Shaun Wane signs autographs for Wigan fansImage source, Getty Images
    Joe Burgess poses for a photograph with a young Wigan fanImage source, Getty Images
  11. Nuuausala hopes for rare doublepublished at 14:39 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2017

    Wigan Warriors v Cronulla Sharks (15:00 GMT)

    Frank-Paul NuuausalaImage source, SWpix.com

    There haven't been many players who have won the World Club Challenge title with teams from both the northern and southern hemisphere, with only former Melbourne, Leeds and Bradford winger Marcus Bai and ex-Sydney and St Helens prop Jason Cayless managing the feat.

    Frank-Paul Nuuausala has the chance to become the third man on that list, having started in Sydney Roosters' 36-14 win over Wigan in 2014.

    The New Zealand international will be up against a pair of his team-mates from that day this afternoon, with James Maloney and Daniel Mortimer now lining up for Sharks.

  12. Rivalries put aside?published at 14:37 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2017

    Wigan Warriors v Cronulla Sharks (15:00 GMT)

    Joe BurgessImage source, Rex Features

    That might depend who you ask, but Wigan winger Joe Burgess certainly seems to think so.

    The 22-year-old told BBC Radio 5 live that even fierce rivals St Helens will be hoping to see Wigan finish as winners today.

    You can read more of what Burgess had to say by clicking here.

  13. Relive Wigan's 1991 triumphpublished at 14:34 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2017

    Wigan Warriors v Cronulla Sharks (15:00 GMT)

    If Wigan's recent history doesn't leave you feeling confident, why not cast your mind back to the 1990s, when Warriors twice lifted the World Club Challenge trophy.

    If you're viewing this page in the UK, you can watch their 1991 triumph over Penrith Panthers by clicking on the play button below.

  14. Listen livepublished at 14:31 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2017

    Wigan Warriors v Cronulla Sharks (15:00 GMT)

    BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    You can listen to live coverage of the game on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra and BBC Radio Manchester by clicking on the tabs at the top of this page.

    There's also plenty of content from the Super League Show to keep you entertained as we await the 15:00 GMT kick-off.

  15. Postpublished at 14:28 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2017

    Wigan Warriors v Cronulla Sharks (15:00 GMT)

    It was quiet a short time ago, but this place will be rocking at 15:00 GMT...

    DW StadiumImage source, Getty Images
  16. History awaitspublished at 14:25 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2017

    Wigan Warriors v Cronulla Sharks (15:00 GMT)

    And with that, it's time to turn our attention back to the main event, where Wigan are bidding to become the first four-time club world champions.

    Their three titles are matched by Leeds Rhinos, Bradford Bulls and Melbourne Storm, who between them won nine titles in an 11-year period from 2002 to 2013.

  17. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 14:22 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2017

    #bbcrl

    And having done their job, Warrington are throwing their support behind Wigan Warriors today...

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  18. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 14:19 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2017

    #bbcrl

    Fair to say that the Warrington boys enjoyed their victory yesterday...

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  19. Exciting times for Warringtonpublished at 14:15 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2017

    Saturday result: Warrington 27-18 Brisbane

    Brian Noble
    Ex-Great Britain coach on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    Warrington were really aggressive, dominated the ruck and got the spoils in the end. Good on them.

    They lost in the Challenge Cup final last season and they were many people's tip in Super League. The exciting thing for Warrington fans is the addition of Kevin Brown.

    Bear in mind they've got Ben Currie, Stefan Ratchford, Chris Hill and Dom Crosby all to come back. They're all game-breakers.

    Ryan AtkinsImage source, SWPIX.COM
  20. 'We want to develop the concept'published at 14:12 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2017

    Saturday result: Warrington 27-18 Brisbane

    More from Warrington head coach Tony Smith, who was glad to restore some Super League pride after a several defeats by NRL opposition.

    "We knew that we were responsible for some of the credibility over here and hopefully we've set up a nice win for Wigan as well," said the former Great Britain coach.

    "They've shown that this is a good part of the world to play rugby league and we can play some pretty decent stuff.

    "We want Super League to get stronger, but we also want to develop this concept as well. It would be great to go over and play the Broncos at their place.

    "We're grateful they've come over here and given us the opportunity, and given our supporters the chance to see an iconic club play rugby league, and at the same time promote our sport worldwide."