Walsh reluctant spectator in World Club Series

19 February 2015 01:16

Australians are invading Britain for a triple-header of World Club Series clashes starting on Friday, but former Penrith Panthers half-back Luke Walsh will be no more than a spectator.

NRL champions South Sydney Rabbitohs take on Super League champions St Helens at Langtree Park to round off a long weekend of action on Sunday.

But Walsh, Saints' Australian scrum-half, who arrived from Penrith last season, has not recovered in time from the leg and ankle injuries he sustained last July.

St Helens coach Keiron Cunningham said: "It's unfortunate he can't be part of such a big event, but I don't think we can risk him.

"He's a world-class player and he'd have a big influence on the game, but we have a very long season and we'll probably need him on many occasions down the track."

Someone who will be lining up for the sell-out match is Jon Wilkin and the Saints' skipper is looking forward to taking on some familiar faces in the Rabbitohs' line-up.

"There are a few points of interest already," he said.

"One is Souths and Saints are two very iconic brands either side of the competition and obviously there's (Rabbitohs co-owner) Russell Crowe and the Burgess boys and it adds some extra stardust to the game.

"There are no bigger fixtures in the first few weeks of the season than the World Club Series and all the clubs want to be involved in those games.

"I think teams that aren't there will look on in jealousy of the guys who get the opportunity to play."

- Confident and competitive -

Elsewhere, Wigan Warriors face off against Brisbane Broncos at the DW Stadium on Saturday and former North Queensland Cowboys full-back Matty Bowen is eager to face NRL opposition again.

Not long after joining Wigan, Bowen was part of the side that lost to Sydney Roosters in last season's World Club Series, and he is eager not to repeat the experience.

"The Roosters game was one of my first games for Wigan and it was disappointing, but we are going to get the chance again, obviously though this time against the Broncos," said Bowen, who was NRL top try-scorer in 2005 and 2007.

"I've played alongside a few of the Broncos boys for State of Origin, so I know quite a few of them and they're going to come over here as a confident, competitive side.

"They scramble well and they are a good defensive side, so we'll have our work cut out, but I'm sure we'll be up for it. It's going to be a tough task, but we have just got to prepare well and perform."

The World Club Series weekend kicks off on Friday with Warrington Wolves hosting St George Illawarra Dragons.

Warrington's Canberra-born Joel Monaghan is keen to show that Super League is just as punishing as the NRL.

"They talk about NRL being the greatest competition in the world and it's definitely the hardest, but we've got to earn our own right to say that in Super League," said the former Sydney Roosters and Canberra Raiders flyer.

"We play a different style of rugby league. It's probably more exciting to watch as a fan and more exciting to play, I think. So hopefully we can go out there and show them that Super League is not far behind."

Fixtures (2000 GMT unless otherwise stated)

Friday:

Warrington Wolves v St George Illawarra Dragons

Saturday:

Wigan Warriors v Brisbane Broncos

Sunday (1900 GMT):

St Helens v South Sydney Rabbitohs

Source: AFP