As much as i am English through and through and dislike losing to the Aussies in any sport i will be hoping for a manly win and a large one at that.
The WCC has become somewhat of a joke.
How can a club team travel half way around the world for what is supposed to be a cup final and then play it on their oppositions own pitch? Then you add to that the fact the Super league started two weeks ago and the Aussie competition has yet to - and it points to it being a pre-season friendly for Manly.
It shows how ridiculous the RFL are if they think that a Leeds win will somehow restore faith in British Rugby League.
We cant compete at a national level and i would question if we can compete at a club level all things being neutral. At to this the fact that Super League teams are full of overseas players (within the riles i accept) and it further detracts from the value of the competition.
Its about time the RFL concentrated on building from the bottom up rather than financing the WCC which has no real value to anyone apart from the RFL who can claim, if leeds win, that somehow the English came is becoming stronger.
A Leeds loss (again) and the alarm bells may finally start to sound at Red Hall that proper structures need to be put in place rather than concentrating on the few for short term gains over the long term stability of the game.
Also on a side note has the game been played in Australia in the last five years or so? This will tell you how much the Aussies really think of this game.