World Club Challenge between Melbourne and Leeds to take place at Headingley

After a bit of debate as to where the game would be played, the venue for the World Club Challenge between the Melbourne Storm and the Leeds Rhinos has been confirmed, with the game to be held at Headingley.

The game, which will take place on February 22 at Headingley Carnegie Stadium, will be an integral part to the Storm's preparation for the start of the 2013 season.

In order to truly prepare for the clash itself, the Storm will depart Melbourne on February 12, as they look to get a feel for the English conditions to train and prepare themselves.

The club's General Manager of Football Operations Frank Ponissi, said that the club was looking forward to playing in the World Club Challenge again.

“We are looking forward to heading to Leeds and testing our

selves against the current super league premiers,” Ponissi said.

“We value this game highly and will be looking to give ourselves the best chance to claim another World Club Challenge title, against a powerhouse club who have won five of the last six super league premierships.”

For Leeds, with the interest and expectation for the game always building, they see the game as a great chance for English fans to witness the likes of Billy Slater and Cameron Smith in action.

“We had a sell out crowd last season and the interest in this game is extremely high already. The chance to see players like Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith play at Headingley Carnegie is also an obvious attraction, and I am sure the World Club Challenge will be the perfect way to kick off a massive year for the sport with the World Cup coming to England later in the year”, said Rhinos Chief Executive Gary Hethrington.