Ex-Manly player Michael Robertson has warned his old team-mates just what conditions will be like on their arrival in England.
Manly coach Toovey admits it will be "interesting" for NRL side
London Broncos winger Michael Robertson has warned his former Manly team-mates exactly what to expect when they arrive in England for next Friday's Heinz Big Soup World Club Challenge.
Robertson helped the Sea Eagles win the NRL Grand Final last October before moving to England, signing a one-year deal with the Broncos.
The Scotland international was also part of the Manly side that beat Leeds 28-20 at Elland Road in the 2009 World Club Challenge, though the conditions were a bit more pleasant back then.
This time the Australian side will face freezing temperatures when they get to Yorkshire ahead of this year's clash with the Rhinos at Headingley.
"I sent them a few photographs of the snow," Robertson said.
"They will have to adjust, given the temperatures back in Sydney and it will be a big factor. The last time we came over it wasn't too bad - it was about eight or nine degrees, which wasn't terrible.
"But it's a little bit colder now and it will be a shock to the system for them for the first couple of days.
"However, I'm sure that when they get over their jetlag they should be fine."
Favourites
Robertson believes the reigning Stobart Super League champions will start as favourites on home turf against opponents who have had little action in preparation for the fixture.
"I know Manly had a little hit-out last week but I think they only played half the game each," he said.
"The problem is Leeds will have had a couple of games under their belt but for Manly the World Club Challenge will be pretty much their first hit-out.
"It's going to be a tough ask but I think they'll be fine. Being crowned world club champions means as much to Manly as it does to Leeds."
Manly coach Geoff Toovey, who took over in the close season after the sudden departure of Des Hasler, admits that, for some, including himself, the sight of snow will be a first.
"Some of the players, including myself, haven't even seen snow before so it's going to be very interesting playing in it," he said on the eve of the club's departure for England.
"Those very different conditions - we've seen some vision from last week's game - are going to be very, very interesting for our players."
Robertson believes former St Helens favourite Jamie Lyon, the 2005 Man of Steel, and Australian scrum-half Daly Cherry-Evans will pose the biggest threat to Leeds.
He added: "I think everyone over here is pretty aware of Jamie Lyon, he's a freak! They've got a couple of young halves who played well last year and I think it will be an exciting game to watch."
