The 2003 World Club Challenge match was contested on Sunday, 16 February by National Rugby League season 2002 premiers, the Sydney Roosters and Super League VII premiers, St. Helens. 19,807 spectators turned out at Bolton's Reebok Stadium for the match, which was refereed by Russell Smith.
This was the first time the two clubs had played each other since the inaugural World Club Challenge game at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 1976. On that occasion the Roosters, then known as Eastern Suburbs (as it was a Sydney only competition at the time), defeated St Helens 25-2. The attendance on that occasion was 26,856.
Background St Helens
Sydney Roosters
Match summary
Teams The Roosters went into the Challenge making one change in their starting lineup (Todd Byrne went on to the wing for the retired Brett Mullins). The Sydney Roosters ran out comprehensive 0-38 champions over the Saints outfit. Tries to Craig Fitzgibbon, Adrian Morley, new input Todd Byrne, captain Brad Fittler and Todd Payten plus the 9 goals from Fitzgibbon completed a season for the Sydney Roosters.
FB 5Anthony StewartLW 2Darren AlbertRC 3Martin GleesonLC 4Paul NewloveRW 19Ade GardnerSO 20Tommy MartynSH 7Sean LongPR 8Darren BrittHK 6Jason HooperPR 10John StankevitchSR 11Chris Joynt (c)SR 12Darren SmithLF 13Paul SculthorpeSubstitutions:IC 14Barry WardIC 15Tim JonkersIC 9Mickey HighamIC 17Mark EdmondsonCoach: Ian Millward FB 1Anthony MinichielloRW 2Todd ByrneLC 3Chris FlanneryRC 4Justin HodgesLW 5Shannon HegartyFE 6Brad Fittler (c)HB 7Craig Wing PR 8Jason CaylessHK 17Michael CrockerPR 10Peter CusackSR 11Adrian MorleySR 12Craig FitzgibbonLK 13Luke RicketsonSubstitutions:IC 14Ned CaticIC 15Todd PaytenIC 16Chad RobinsonIC 9Brett FinchCoach: Ricky Stuart
See also World Club Challenge
External links 2003 World Club Challenge at rugbyleagueproject.com 2003 World Club Challenge at rlphotos.com 2003 World Club Challenge at superleague.co.uk