[2] The match featured 28 penalties and two punch-ups which resulted in rival Props Josh Perry (Manly) and Jamie Peacock (Leeds) sin-binned in the 20th minute.

The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles clinched the 2008 National Rugby League Premiership with a 40-0 thrashing of the Melbourne Storm - an Australian grand final record, earning them a place in the World Club Challenge.

After their victory over the Melbourne Storm the previous year, the Rhinos were hoping to become the first team in history to win consecutive titles.

A legal tackle by Manly's Anthony Watmough in the 16th minute on Leeds' pint sized scrum-half Rob Burrow knocked him out and he played no further part in the match.

Sea Eagles captain Matt Orford opted to attack Leeds' line and Brett Stewart broke through the defence from dummy half to score the first points just after a quarter of the match had passed.

Leeds started the 2nd half making a small break down the left hand side in the first minute after replacement Manly hooker Heath L'Estrange had given away a penalty.

The 2nd minute of play saw Manly make a break from the halfway line with Adam Cuthbertson getting the ball out to Michael Robertson on the left wing.

Michael Robertson made another break down the right wing and centre kicked ahead for Brett Stewart who got a perfect bounce.

Manly had scored their 3rd try in only 6 minutes and 45 seconds of the second half which had taken the game away from Leeds and silenced the mostly pro-Rhinos crowd, though there were a few Manly supporters scattered throughout the stadium and a group of supporters had come from Sydney to watch the Sea Eagles with Sky Sports television commentator Eddie Hemmings telling the audience that his director was finding them in the crowd as he himself was an Australian and just happened to be a Manly-Warringah fan.

[11] After 71 and a half minutes, 30 metres out from Manly's line, Lautiiti made a run from dummy-half down the left side and threw another deft no-look pass to Ryan Hall who scored in the corner.

Sinfield's sideline conversion attempt was missed, so the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles had won the World Club Challenge for the first time, by a score of 28–20.