World Club Challenge: Cameron Smith eyes Kevin Sinfield duel

Melbourne Storm pivot Cameron Smith is relishing another head-to-head with Leeds Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield in Friday's World Club Challenge fixture.

Kangaroos skipper Smith, 29, will lead the 2012 NRL winners against Sinfield's Super League holders in the third WCC meeting between the clubs.

"Kevin is a great competitor," Smith told BBC Radio Leeds.

"I enjoy watching the way he plays his football and I'm sure he'll be at the forefront on Friday."

The rivalry, albeit a friendly one, has been nurtured by two players at the top of their game at domestic and international level.

Smith missed Melbourne's 2008 defeat by the Rhinos through the birth of his first child, but returned to lead the NRL champions to victory at Elland Road in 2010.

He also had the upper hand with Australia against England on that same ground in the 2011 Four Nations Final, but the Dally M hooker of the year for last season was pipped to the Golden Boot by Sinfield, 32, in 2012.

"The times I've come up against him there's never been any hard feelings, it's well deserved, he's been a terrific player for a long time now," Smith added.

"He's been a great leader for Leeds and England, he's captained them to six Grand Final wins which is a pretty special thing to do."

Despite the Brisbane-born playmaker's experience of British venues with club and country, Friday night under the Headingley lights is unchartered territory.

Manly felt the force of a partisan Leeds crowd in last year's competition, although Smith is excited rather than intimidated by the prospect.

"I spoke to Kieran Foran [Manly half-back] about the game and he said it's a hostile environment," he continued.

"I walked out on the ground before for some photos and I can believe it, the crowd are right on top of you.

"That's what makes it so special for Australian teams coming here because we don't get that, we've got a lot of space between us and the crowd, but it's something we need to enjoy.

"We need to enjoy going out there and having the crowd getting into us and singing their songs because if you don't it has an effect on the way we play.

"If we go out there and are positive about the way we play, usually you go alright."

Smith was talking to BBC Radio Leeds' Gareth Jones.