Brownlee brothers to present World Club Challenge trophy
2012 Olympic medallists Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee, will be the guests of honour at Friday night’s 2013 World Club Challenge, Leeds Rhinos v Melbourne Storm.
Alistair famously won triathlon gold at London 2012 when his younger brother Jonathan, the reigning triathlon world champion, claimed bronze in a famous summer for British sport.
The brothers will be on hand to present the trophy to the winning captain at a sold-out Headingley Carnegie Stadium on Friday as Super League champions Leeds go head to head with NRL Grand Final winners Melbourne for the right to be crowned world champions.
“It is a great honour to be asked to present the trophy to the winning side of Friday’s World Club Challenge,” said Alistair Brownlee.
“We’re both big fans of Rugby League, especially of our home-town club Leeds Rhinos, and are really looking forward to watching what promises to be a very exciting game.
“The skill and athleticism of the players is something we both admire and to be there on the night in such a capacity is a great honour for us.”
2012 Triathlon world champion Jonathan Brownlee said: “Being crowned the 2012 triathlon world champion was a fantastic moment for me and to be able to play a part in bestowing that same honour to the winning captain on Friday night is a privilege.
“We have watched some great World Club Challenge games over the past few years and to have the champions of England play the champions of Australia in our home city is fantastic.
“I’m really looking forward to the game and getting my hands on the trophy, even if it is only for a very brief moment.”
RFL Chief Executive Nigel Wood said: “We are delighted that the Brownlee brothers have been able to accept the invitation to be guests of honour and present the trophy to the winners of Friday’s highly anticipated World Club Challenge.
“Both brothers have excelled at the highest level of their chosen sport and have been inspirational figures during their careers. They are strong advocates of Rugby League and to be able to welcome them to Headingley Carnegie Stadium is something that everyone involved with the game is looking forward to.”
