There is not much Billy Slater hasn’t experienced over his 16-year career however on February 16 a new challenge awaits.
For the first time in not only Slater’s career but in rugby league history, the World Club Challenge comes to Melbourne.
Storm will host English Super League Champions Leeds Rhinos for the right to be crowned the best team in the world.
Slater is set to once again be front and centre, in the No.1 purple jersey, having returned to pre-season training last week in outstanding condition.
Now with just over two weeks until kick-off, the focus is beginning to sharpen.
“It is such a big game,” Slater said.
“We certainly look at it as a great opportunity to be known as the best team in the world.”
“We are looking to perform the best we can and hopefully play really well on the 16th of February.”
An interesting aspect of the contest will be the two contrasting styles of the NRL and English Super League coming together.
The Rhinos and Storm will be their own unique styles of play which will make for fascinating rugby league.
“I think they focus on attack a lot more than what we do,” Slater said.
“We are certainly a defensively-orientated competition but they throw the ball around. If you don’t control the ruck they certainly play really fast on you.
“This will be the fourth World Club Challenge I would have played in and all four of them will be against the Leeds Rhinos.
“They are certainly a successful team in the Northern hemisphere and they are becoming a healthy rival.”
