It was a game that had everything: Torrential rain, a lightning delay, golden point extra time and a field goal to win it. But in the end, World Club Challenge glory eluded Penrith for a third time.
St Helens produced an upset for the ages, winning 13-12 at BlueBet Stadium despite being given barely a hope of claiming victory in the lead-up to the game.
All the talk pre-game was about the predicted scorching heat but it was instead a massive downpour that greeted the players at kick-off. It favoured St Helens, who dominated the first half with superior line speed and high energy.
The Saints didn’t score a try in the second half but when the second stanza did eventually get underway after a delay due to lightning, they remained in control.
Penrith scored two second half tries from kicks including a Brian To’o stunner on the stroke of full-time that sent the game to extra time, but there is no question St Helens were the better side throughout.
Stephen Crichton capped off a game he’d rather forget at fullback with a dropped ball in golden point that opened the door for St Helens to land the winner through a Lewis Dodd field goal.
Saints golden point to take the reigning premiers!
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The loss will mean little to Penrith as they chase an unprecedented NRL threepeat but it’s definitely a missed opportunity after two previous failed attempts at claiming a World Club Challenge.
There’s no question the match also raised questions over Mitch Kenny’s credentials at hooker. He struggled to make an impact for most of the game and in the end coach Ivan Cleary sent Jack Cogger into the role for the final few minutes in attempt to create some much-needed spark.
St Helens players and officials stormed the field after Dodd’s field goal, the upset victory clearly meaning plenty to a side that has dominated English rugby league for the last four years.
Troy Dodds is the Weekender’s Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.
