Leeds were impressive last year in their win over NRL Premiers Manly, but the Storm are a whole new prospect.

Leeds coach Brian McDermott has led his side to every possible final since he took over two and ahlf years ago, and Leeds have been part of five of the past six WCC for the winners of the NRL and Super League.

 “I think we need to come up with a performance to match anything we’ve ever done before,” McDermott told the Yorkshire Post.

“We put a few big performances in last year and the season before, but we’ll need to be better than in any of those.

“We have to deliver a performance as a team that’s technically spot on – with the skill level needing to be so very high – but also in terms of our commitment and energy to each other.

“Melbourne are a very, very good team.”

NRL teams have been accused of not taking the match seriously, but Storm coach Craig Bellamy, despite complaining about the timing of the match disrupting the NRL pre-season, insists his side is bringing their A-game.

“Perhaps after the season would be a better time to do it, but there’s obviously reasons why it’s at this time of year,” Bellamy said.

“We’re here now and we’ve brought the best squad we have available and we’re going to give it a good shot.”

See the World Club Challenge live on Sky Sports 1, with coverage from 7.30pm.

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