Leeds will play North Queensland Cowboys at Headingley
Monday 9 November 2015 12:08, UK
Leeds have decided to play their World Club Challenge against North Queensland Cowboys at Headingley rather than Elland Road.
The Super League champions will be assured of a full house when they take on the NRL Grand Final winners on February 21.
A crowd of 37,208 watched the Rhinos for the first of four World Club Challenges to be staged at Elland Road, against Canterbury Bulldogs in in 2005, but have since played to full-capacity crowds at Headingley in 2012 and 2013.
Leeds enjoyed a near-capacity crowd of 20,158 for their recent tour game with New Zealand and tickets are sure to be in big demand for the visit of the Johnathan Thurston-led side.
And the decision was welcomed by hooker Rob Burrow, who has appeared in all six previous World Club Challenges for Leeds.
Burrow said: "It will be special to be back at Headingley Carnegie and taking on North Queensland.
"They had a tremendous season last year and made their own history by winning the NRL Grand Final for the first time so it sets things up nicely with us having achieved something special in 2015 as well.
"In Johnathan Thurston they have one of the stars of our game and I am sure many young fans will be keen to see him in action as well as cheering the Rhinos on."
The clash of the champions will be the climax to the 2016 World Club Series, which will kick off on Friday, February 19 with St Helens taking on Sydney Roosters, followed by Wigan's clash with Brisbane Broncos 24 hours later.
The NRL completed a 3-0 whitewash of their Super League counterparts in the inaugural World Club Series in 2015.
Super League general manager Blake Solly said: "We expect demand for tickets to be extremely strong following the success of the 2015 Series.
"Now that we have ensured the top Super League teams will face the top NRL teams in 2016, it is a weekend that no sports fan will want to miss."
