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  • July 17, 2019
    Phil Clarke says Super League players have a chance to forge a career highlight when facing NRL sides this weekend... The Grand Final, Christmas Day and the World Club Challenge are the three big annual events that I look forward to most in my life - Ive relegated the kids birthdays and my wedding anniversary to Tier 2 occasions and just hope that none of my family ever read this.My introduction to the World Club Challenge was an unforgettable moment in my life. Going to Central Park in 1987 to watch Wigan play against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the first official World Club Challenge is my strongest memory as a teenager. For many players in Super League the chance to beat an NRL team is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Phil Clarke It was a game that featured some of the Wigan greats, including Shaun Edwards and current Wigan coach Shaun Wane, who was man of the match on the day as Wigan ran out 8-2 winners despite my nerves before the game.I can still remember the music that they played at half-time and get taken back to that moment whenever it comes on the radio, even today. Id seen hundreds of games of rugby league in my life but nothing to compare with this, it looked like another sport. It was as though somebody had pressed fast forward on the Sky+ control, it was that quick. From that night on I have always loved the event and was lucky enough to play in a few in the early 90s. For many players in Super League the chance to beat an NRL team is a once-in-a-lifetime event and I feel fortunate to have had the chance to do it.Ive also been privileged to sit in the commentary box for some momentous games over the last 15 years. Johnathan Thurston has ruled out a move to the Super League I remember a superhuman performance by Stuart Fielden when Bradford Bulls beat the Newcastle Knights in Huddersfield. I recall a snow-covered pitch in Bolton when Paul Sculthorpe inspired a St Helens comeback over the Brisbane Broncos, and I have a clear picture of a clinical and dominant performance by Michael Maguires South Sydney Rabbitohs at Langtree Park 12 months ago.Weve been treated to some classics clashes between the two hemispheres over the years, but what will they deliver this year? Its hard to say much about the NRL teams since this will be the first run out for most of them, but history shows us that their players, coaches and assistants tend to make a big effort to impress.Several of them will end up over here in the future, some in the near future. This series is a sort of unofficial job interview for them as they get a small window to show what they can do. South Sydney Rabbitohs celebrate after beating St Helens in 2015 It will also be a chance for the rest of Super League to look on and see if the NRL teams have developed any new way of attacking or defending. The game slowly evolves and most new developments tend to come from down under.Obviously the home teams have several advantages, but from the way that they played last weekend they may need them. I cant tell you what was in the minds of the St Helens, Wigan and Leeds players last week but I do suspect that they were all subconsciously distracted by the fact that they will face the best of the NRL this weekend.Its tough not to be distracted by it. They will have seen adverts around their ground, heard the office staff talking about publicising it and taken part in sessions with the coaches in which their antipodean opponents have been mentioned. The strength and conditioning staff may even have talked about peaking for this one-off challenge and it is a big thing to them and their club. For those who do not get to play internationally this could be the biggest game of their career. A win would make it the highlight.Last week must have felt like a dress rehearsal and one that didnt go that well, but I think that they will all look like different men this weekend. Two of the three games in 2015 were brilliant contests, and the third was a masterclass from Souths.I think that we will see at least one win for the Super League teams this year, and hope that it is two, but truth be told I have the same nerves that I had back in 87 - lets hope these nerves are also unfounded.Watch the World Club Challenge live on Sky Sports, starting with St Helens v Sydney Roosters on Friday night from 7.30pm. Can the Super League teams win the series? Let us know your thoughts by commenting below if viewing on skysports.com or Tweet us @SkySportsRL Also See: Thurston rules out Super League move Six NRL players to watch Robinson: Series worth the risk Eden to make Broncos bow Mookie Betts Jersey . LOUIS -- St. Tyler Thornburg Red Sox Jersey . -- Its been a long road back for Sean Bergenheim. http://www.officialredsoxfanstore.com/authentic-chris-sale-red-sox-jersey/ . Siddikur, whose previous win on the circuit came in Brunei three years ago, finished his bogey-free round with a birdie on the 18th for a total of 17-under 199. Indias Shiv Chowrasia, who has finished runner-up in this tournament twice, was in second place after a 66. David Price Red Sox Jersey . LOUIS -- Cardinals cleanup hitter Allen Craig says hes recovered from a foot injury and ready to be put on St. Carl Yastrzemski Red Sox Jersey . According the Toronto Star, a knee injury will keep Sundin out of the lineup, which includes former teammates Gary Roberts, Darcy Tucker, Tie Domi and Curtis Joseph. ABILENE, Texas -- Kade Harrington had 23 carries for 145 yards and a score and Lamar piled up 520 yards of offense in a 38-10 win against Abilene Christian on Saturday night.Harrington entered the contest leading the Southland Conference averaging 112 rushing yards per game. The Cardinals took control in the second quarter. Zae Giles had a 38-yard TD run and Carson Earp threw a 6-yarder later to Giles just before halftime for a 17-3 lead.Dewan Lee Thompsons 7-yard TD run with 10:04 left in the third quarter all but sealed the outcome.dddddddddddd Earp was 16 for 19 with 221 yards in the air and Lamar (2-3, 2-1) had a time of possession edge by almost 17 minutes.Abilene Christian (0-6, 0-4) got its lone lead at 3-0 off Nik Graus 22-yard field goal.Parker McKenzie was 15 for 31 for 119 yards, a TD and an interception for the Wildcats. ' ' '