Cronulla to fight fire with fire

Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan says his side won’t be taking a backward step against Wigan in the World Club Challenge.

Wigan are seeking to a end run in the competition in recent years with losses to Brisbane (twice), the Roosters and the Dragons.

No Super League side has beaten an NRL opponent since Leeds defeated Manly in 2012.

Punching will not be an automatic yellow card on Sunday, unlike in the NRL, and some have suggested the match could get fiery.

“If they want to get fiery, I’ve got the team to handle that,” Flanagan told The Sydney Morning Herald.

“Gallen and Fifita and Prior and them – they’ll handle that easy. We’re here to play football, we’re not here to worry about crap like that.”