On February 19th 2017, Wigan Warriors famously lifted the World Club Challenge for the fourth time when they overcame NRL Champions Cronulla Sharks.
The Warriors ran out 22-6 winners at the DW Stadium to become the most successful side in World Club Challenge history; a record which has since been equalled by Australia’s Sydney Roosters.
Joe Burgess was the star of the show scoring a hat-trick in his first game for Wigan since returning from South Sydney. He is one of just three players to cross for a hat-trick in a World Club Challenge alongside Roosters players Michael Jennings and Brett Morris.
Leeds weren’t as fortunate on February 21st 2016 as they fell to a 4-36 defeat to North Queensland Cowboys at Emerald Headingley Stadium.
Rhinos legend Rob Burrow scored Leeds’ only try on a difficult evening. Justin O’Neill notched a double while Lachlan Coote, Kyle Feldt, Kane Linnett, Michael Morgan and Johnathan Thurston were the Cowboys scorers.
This was North Queensland Cowboys first – and only - World Club Challenge title to date.
On February 24th 2019, Marc Sneyd put his name in the history books once more as he became the first player to ever kick a drop-goal in Golden Point Extra-Time in the Super League.
Hull FC were taken to extra-time against by Wigan Warriors at the DW Stadium before Sneyd notched a memorable drop-goal to earn the Black and Whites two points.
Did you know?
February 19: In 1923, the Rugby Football League clarified the terms and conditions concerning grants to clubs for ground improvements following concerns over work done at the Wheater’s Field; home of Broughton Rangers.
February 20: In 1935, £2 was paid to a player from the Pilkington League after he broke his leg while playing. This league is an example of a league forming between different sections of a factory, such as a team for ‘Plate Works’ and ‘Drawn Flats’.
February 21: In 2016, North Queensland Cowboys lifted their first – and only – World Club Challenge to date.
February 22: In 1932, Broughton Rangers complained about the dismissal of players during a Challenge Cup tie and claimed they suffered an ‘injustice’. The Rugby Football League secretary responded that the comment was ‘entirely superfluous’.
February 23: In 2004, Wayne Bennett is appointed as Australia Head Coach.
February 24: In 1946, the full match account for the Wales v England game earlier in the month was published. After costs, included payments to players and officials of £376, the match made a profit of £182.
February 25: In 2019, Rugby League legend Peter Fox passed away, aged 85. Peter spent over 40 years in Rugby League as a player and a coach at club and county level and was added to the Rugby Football League’s Roll of Honour in 2009.
Born on this Day:
February 19: Stuart Littler (Swinton Lions Head Coach), Anthony Thackeray (Sheffield Eagles), Callum Phillips (Whitehaven), Ben Blackmore (Featherstone Rovers), Harry Newman (Leeds Rhinos and England Knights)
February 20: Karl Harrison (Former Great Britain and England International), Daly Cherry-Evans (Manly Sea Eagles and Australia), Greg Johnson (Bradford Bulls and Jamaica), Adam Swift (Leigh Centurions)
February 21: Keith Mumby (Former Great Britain and England International), Craig Hall (Featherstone Rovers), Will Dagger (Hull Kingston Rovers)
February 22: Chris Riley (Former England Knights International), Rob Lui (Leeds Rhinos), Perry Whiteley (York City Knights) Frazer Morris (Oldham), Caine Barnes (Workington Town)
February 23: Shaun Briscoe (Former England International), Scott Wheeldon (Sheffield Eagles)
February 24: Gareth Raynor (Former Great Britain and England International), Adam Cuthbertson (Leeds Rhinos), Ben Harrison (Former England and Ireland International), George King (Wakefield Trinity and Ireland)
February 25: Benji Marshall (Wests Tigers and New Zealand), Aidan Guerra (Newcastle Knights and Italy), Lewis Palfrey (Rochdale Hornets)
