Cop that Gus.
That was the message from St Helens after the English Super League champions shocked Penrith to win the World Club Challenge in a golden level end on Saturday evening
St Helens got here into the conflict with 4 straight premierships underneath their belt, whereas the Panthers have gained the final two premierships and are going for a hat-trick in 2023.
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But St Helens’ win makes it the primary time since 1994, or 29 years, that an English facet has claimed the win on Aussie soil.
The Super League champions clearly bought some added motivation from Phil Gould, who predicted final week that the Panthers would win so simply they may “declare by half time”.
After the sport, St Helens prop Alex Walmsley posted a photograph of himself with the World Club Challenge trophy and couldn’t resist having a dig at Gould, who took it nicely.
“Well done St Helens,” the commentator and Bulldogs basic supervisor tweeted.
“That’s a mighty victory. Beat Panther to the punch early. Defended their lead with pride. Terrific stuff. Panther looked clunky but no excuses. They had months to prepare.
“St Helens too good on the night. Great result for Rugby League.”
The English challengers stored Ivan Cleary’s harmful facet scoreless for nearly 52 minutes and had been the primary to open the scoring with a long-range effort for fullback Jack Welsby to attain. Only moments later, former NRL star Konrad Hurrell charged his approach over the road from 10 metres out for the second four-pointer of the evening.
With solely a minute left on the scoreboard, Brian To’o was in a position to crash over after a Jack Welsby error from a Stephen Crichton bomb.
Cleary nailed the conversion from 10 metres in from the sideline to take the conflict to golden level.
During the additional interval, Stephen Crichton was hammered by a robust Hurrell sort out, knocking the ball on to present the challengers good area place.
St Helens playmaker Lewis Dodd was then in a position to slot the sphere purpose and safe victory for the English facet.
St Helens have now gained the World Club Challenge 3 times, with this triumph including to wins in 2001 and 2007.
They have additionally stopped a three-game streak of NRL champions successful the World Club Challenge in years passed by.
Source: www.foxsports.com.au