View source for 1997 World Club Championship

{{Use Australian English|date=June 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox rugby league season
 | year = 1997
 | competition = World Club Championship
 | image = World Club Challenge.JPG
 | imagesize = 
 | caption = Trophy won by Brisbane Broncos
 | duration = 6 June {{endash}} 17 October 1997
 | teams = 22
 | season_champ_name = Champions
 | season_champs = {{leagueicon|brisbane|16}} [[Brisbane Broncos]]
 | season_champs_count = 2nd
 | second_place = {{leagueicon|Hunter|16}} [[Hunter Mariners]]
 | mpcount = 
 | matches = 68
 | points = 
 | attendance = 543,258 <!-- sourced from RLP -->
 | avg_attendance = 7,989 <!-- 9,144 was sourced from <ref name="Mascord161097"/> -->
 | top_scorer          = {{leagueicon|Penrith|16}} [[Ryan Girdler]] (118 points)
 | top try scorer      = {{leagueicon|Brisbane|16}} [[Steve Renouf]] (13)
 | prevseason_year = [[1994 World Club Challenge|1994]]
 | nextseason_year = [[2000 World Club Challenge|2000]]
}}
The '''1997 World Club Championship''' was an expansion of the [[World Club Challenge]] concept by [[Super League]]. The rugby competition was restructured to include all 22 clubs from the Australasian [[Super League (Australia)|Super League]] and the [[Super League]] championships and was known as the '''Visa World Club Championship''' due to sponsorship. As it was contested over six rounds in two hemispheres, with {{AUD|1 million}} prize money (GBP 640,000), the competition was prohibitively expensive to stage, with suggestions that it cost {{AUD|6 million}}.<ref name="Mascord161097">{{cite news |last1=Mascord |first1=Steve |title=Gold Coast hunts the Mariners |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |publisher=John Fairfax Publications Pty Limited |date=17 October 1997 |location=Sydney, New South Wales |page=45}}</ref> This coupled with the poor ratings and attendances that were achieved both in Australia and Europe reportedly resulted in a loss over {{AUD|5 million}}, and the World Club Challenge was not staged again for a number of years. No British teams progressed further than the quarter-finals, with two Australian teams reaching the final (played at the [[Ericsson Stadium Auckland|Ericsson Stadium]] in [[Auckland]], New Zealand): the dominant [[Brisbane Broncos]] club and the ill-fated [[Hunter Mariners]].<ref>{{cite news
  | last = Hadfield
  | first = Dave
  | title = The short but amazing life of Hunter Mariners
  | work = [[The Independent]]
  | publisher = independent.co.uk
  | date = 1997-10-16
  | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-league-the-short-but-amazing-life-of-hunter-mariners-1236216.html
  | access-date = 2009-10-06}}</ref>

==Format==
The competition was held during the second season of the European [[Super League]] competition and the inaugural season of the Australasian [[Super League (Australia)|Super League]] season. Both competitions paused their competitions for the first three rounds in June, and again for the second round of matches in July-August. 

Teams in each competition were seeded into two pools to ensure that the leading teams would play each other.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=Andy |title=Ambitious project means global dawning |work=The Observer |date=1 June 1997 |location=London, United Kingdom |page=52}}</ref> The Australasian teams were split into a pool of six teams that contained the teams that had finished highly in the [[1996 ARL season]], and a pool of four teams that included the expansion Super League franchises [[Hunter Mariners]] and [[Adelaide Rams]]. The European Super League teams were split into two pools of six teams in order of the final positions of the clubs during the [[1996 Super League season]]. Promoted club [[Salford Red Devils|Salford Reds]] joined Pool B.

With only four teams in the Australasian Pool B, the six European teams had two bye weekends.

The competition saw five Australasian teams tour Europe for each set of three match weekends, with five European teams simultaneously touring Australasia.

Following the completion of the pool matches, the top three teams from both of the competitions Pool A progressed to the quarter finals, with the winner of the Australasian Pool B. The winner of the European Pool B faced the fourth-placed team from Pool A in an elimination qualifier for a place in the quarter finals.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fitzpatrick |first1=Paul |title=Show time in the world acid test |work=The Guardian |date=6 June 1997 |location=London, United Kingdom |page=B7}}</ref> The playoffs took place after the completion of the respective Super League competitions.

Credit card company [[Visa Inc.|Visa]] was announced as the competition sponsor just before the European launch of the championship at [[Huddersfield]]. The sponsorship was described as a "substantial investment to help offset the estimated {{GBP|2 million}} operational costs."<ref>{{cite news |title=Visa invests in world club championship |work=The Times |date=5 June 1997 |location=London, United Kingdom |page=47}}</ref>

==Pool stage tables==
The Australasian and European teams were each divided into two pools for the 1997 World Club Challenge. Each pool had six teams, with the exception of Australasia B, which had the two lowest placed [[Super League (Australia)|Super League]]-aligned teams and the two newly formed teams: the Hunter Mariners and the Adelaide Rams. The finals series was contested between the top three teams in Australasia Pool A and Europe Pool A, and the top team from Australasia Pool B and Europe Pool B.

===Super League (Australia and New Zealand)===
;Pool A
{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=WDL
|source= [https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/competitions/world-club-challenge-1997/tables.html RLP]
|for_against_style=points
|winpoints=2 |drawpoints=1 |losspoints=0

<!--Teams-->
|name_BRI={{leagueicon|Brisbane|16}} [[Brisbane Broncos]] 
|name_AUK={{leagueicon|Auckland|16}} [[Auckland Warriors]]
|name_CRO={{leagueicon|Cronulla|16}} [[Cronulla Sharks]]
|name_PEN={{leagueicon|Penrith|16}} [[Penrith Panthers]]
|name_CAN={{leagueicon|Canberra|16}} [[Canberra Raiders]]
|name_CBY={{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} [[Canterbury Bulldogs]]

<!--UPDATE standings below (including date)-->
|update =complete
|win_BRI=6 |draw_BRI=0 |loss_BRI=0 |pf_BRI=270 |pa_BRI=52 
|win_AUK=6 |draw_AUK=0 |loss_AUK=0 |pf_AUK=268 |pa_AUK=82 
|win_CRO=6 |draw_CRO=0 |loss_CRO=0 |pf_CRO=230 |pa_CRO=54 
|win_PEN=6 |draw_PEN=0 |loss_PEN=0 |pf_PEN=256 |pa_PEN=120
|win_CAN=5 |draw_CAN=0 |loss_CAN=1 |pf_CAN=302 |pa_CAN=108
|win_CBY=4 |draw_CBY=0 |loss_CBY=2 |pf_CBY=218 |pa_CBY=121

<!--UPDATE positions below (check tiebreakers)-->
 |team1 = BRI |team2= AUK |team3 = CRO |team4= PEN |team5= CAN |team6= CBY
|class_rules = 1) Points; 2) Point difference; 3) Points scored.

<!--Result column-->
|res_col_header=Q
|result1 = QF |result2 = QF |result3= QF
|col_QF=green1 |text_QF=Advance to Quarter-finals
}}
;Pool B
{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=WDL
|source= [https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/competitions/world-club-challenge-1997/tables.html RLP]
|for_against_style=points
|winpoints=2 |drawpoints=1 |losspoints=0

<!--Teams-->
|name_HUN={{leagueicon|Hunter|16}} [[Hunter Mariners]] 
|name_NQL={{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} [[North Queensland Cowboys]]
|name_ADE={{leagueicon|Adelaide|16}} [[Adelaide Rams]]
|name_PER={{leagueicon|Perth|16}} [[Perth Reds]]

<!--UPDATE standings below (including date)-->
|update =complete
|win_HUN=6 |draw_HUN=0 |loss_HUN=0 |pf_HUN=226 |pa_HUN=50 
|win_NQL=5 |draw_NQL=0 |loss_NQL=1 |pf_NQL=228 |pa_NQL=92 
|win_ADE=4 |draw_ADE=0 |loss_ADE=2 |pf_ADE=170 |pa_ADE=68 
|win_PER=4 |draw_PER=0 |loss_PER=2 |pf_PER=148 |pa_PER=104


<!--UPDATE positions below (check tiebreakers)-->
 |team1 = HUN |team2= NQL |team3 = ADE |team4= PER
|class_rules = 1) Points; 2) Point difference; 3) Points scored.

<!--Result column-->
|res_col_header=Q
|result1 = QF
|col_QF=green1 |text_QF=Advance to Quarter-finals
}}

===Super League (Great Britain and France)===
;Pool A
{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=WDL
|source= [https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/competitions/world-club-challenge-1997/tables.html RLP]
|for_against_style=points
|winpoints=2 |drawpoints=1 |losspoints=0

<!--Teams-->
|name_WIG={{leagueicon|Wigan|16}} [[Wigan Warriors]] 
|name_LON={{leagueicon|London|16}} [[London Broncos]]
|name_BRA={{leagueicon|Bradford|16}} [[Bradford Bulls]]
|name_STH={{leagueicon|St Helens|16}} [[St Helens R.F.C.|St Helens]]
|name_WAR={{leagueicon|Warrington|16}} [[Warrington Wolves]]
|name_HAL={{leagueicon|Halifax|16}} [[Halifax R.L.F.C.|Halifax Blue Sox]]

<!--UPDATE standings below (including date)-->
|update =complete

|win_WIG=2 |draw_WIG=0 |loss_WIG=4 |pf_WIG=89  |pa_WIG=212 
|win_LON=1 |draw_LON=0 |loss_LON=5 |pf_LON=136 |pa_LON=238 
|win_BRA=0 |draw_BRA=0 |loss_BRA=6 |pf_BRA=82  |pa_BRA=228 
|win_STH=0 |draw_STH=0 |loss_STH=6 |pf_STH=96  |pa_STH=270
|win_WAR=0 |draw_WAR=0 |loss_WAR=6 |pf_WAR=78  |pa_WAR=256
|win_HAL=0 |draw_HAL=0 |loss_HAL=6 |pf_HAL=56  |pa_HAL=340

<!--UPDATE positions below (check tiebreakers)-->
 |team1 = WIG |team2= LON |team3 = BRA |team4= STH |team5= WAR |team6= HAL
|class_rules = 1) Points; 2) Point difference; 3) Points scored.

<!--Result column-->
|res_col_header=Q
|result1 = QF |result2 = QF |result3= QF |result4= EF
|col_QF=green1 |text_QF=Advance to Quarter-finals
|col_EF=yellow1 |text_EF=Advance to Elimination final
}}
;Pool B
{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=WDL
|source= [https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/competitions/world-club-challenge-1997/tables.html RLP]
|for_against_style=points
|winpoints=2 |drawpoints=1 |losspoints=0

<!--Teams-->
|name_PAR={{leagueicon|psg|16}} [[Paris Saint-Germain Rugby League|Paris Saint-Germain]]
|name_LEE={{leagueicon|Leeds|16}} [[Leeds Rhinos]]
|name_OLD={{leagueicon|Oldham|16}} [[Oldham R.L.F.C.|Oldham Bears]]
|name_SAL={{leagueicon|Salford City|16}} [[Salford Red Devils|Salford City Reds]]
|name_SHE={{leagueicon|Sheffield|16}} [[Sheffield Eagles (1984)|Sheffield Eagles]]
|name_CAS={{leagueicon|Castleford|16}} [[Castleford Tigers]]

<!--UPDATE standings below (including date)-->
|update =complete

|win_PAR=1 |draw_PAR=0 |loss_PAR=3 |pf_PAR=48 |pa_PAR=90 
|win_LEE=1 |draw_LEE=0 |loss_LEE=3 |pf_LEE=94 |pa_LEE=138 
|win_OLD=1 |draw_OLD=0 |loss_OLD=3 |pf_OLD=52 |pa_OLD=130 
|win_SAL=1 |draw_SAL=0 |loss_SAL=3 |pf_SAL=44 |pa_SAL=130
|win_SHE=1 |draw_SHE=0 |loss_SHE=3 |pf_SHE=54 |pa_SHE=168
|win_CAS=0 |draw_CAS=0 |loss_CAS=4 |pf_CAS=52 |pa_CAS=116

<!--UPDATE positions below (check tiebreakers)-->
 |team1 = PAR |team2= LEE |team3 = OLD |team4= SAL |team5= SHE |team6= CAS
|class_rules = 1) Points; 2) Point difference; 3) Points scored.

<!--Result column-->
|res_col_header=Q
|result1 = EF
|col_EF=yellow1 |text_EF=Advance to Elimination final
}}

==Results==

===Round 1===
;June 6–9
{| class="wikitable" style="border-collapse:collapse; text-align:center; width:100%;"
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;"  style="background:#c1d8ff;"
! rowspan="2" |Home
! rowspan="2" |Score
! rowspan="2" |Away
! colspan="4" |Match information
|-
! width="17%" |Day & Time (local)
! width="17%" |Venue
! width="17%" |Referee
! width="5%" |Attendance
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Brisbane|16}} [[Brisbane Broncos]]'''
|42 – 22
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|London|16}} [[London Broncos]]
|Friday 6 June, 7:30{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre|ANZ Stadium]], [[Brisbane]]
|[[Bill Harrigan]]
|18,193
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|St Helens|16}} [[St Helens R.F.C.|St. Helens]]
|14 – 42
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Auckland|16}} [[Auckland Warriors]]'''
|Friday 6 June, 7:30{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Knowsley Road]], [[St Helens, Merseyside|St. Helens]]
|[[Stuart Cummings]]
|8,911
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} [[North Queensland Cowboys]]'''
|42 – 20
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Leeds|16}} [[Leeds Rhinos]]
|Saturday 7 June, 7:30{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Willows Sports Complex|Stockland Stadium]], [[Townsville]]
|Steve Clark
|14,561
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Adelaide|16}} [[Adelaide Rams]]'''
|50 – 8
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Salford City|16}} [[Salford Red Devils|Salford Reds]]
|Sunday 8 June, 2:00{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Adelaide Oval]], [[Adelaide]]
|[[Tim Mander]]
|11,346
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Canberra|16}} [[Canberra Raiders]]'''
|70 – 6
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Halifax|16}} [[Halifax R.L.F.C.|Halifax Blue Sox]]
|Sunday 8 June, 2:30{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Bruce Stadium]], [[Canberra]]
|Brian Grant
|7,780
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|psg|16}} [[Paris Saint-Germain Rugby League|Paris St-Germain]]
|12 – 28
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Hunter|16}} [[Hunter Mariners]]'''
|Sunday 8 June, 3:00{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Charlety Stadium]], Paris
|Steve Presley
|3,500
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Castleford|16}} [[Castleford Tigers]]
|16 – 24
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Perth|size=16}} [[Perth Reds]]'''
|Sunday 8 June, 3:30{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Wheldon Road]], [[Castleford]]
|Robert Connolly
|3,590
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Warrington|16}} [[Warrington Wolves]]
|12 – 40
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Cronulla|16}} [[Cronulla Sharks]]'''
|Sunday 8 June, 6:35{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Wilderspool Stadium]], [[Warrington]]
|Russell Smith
|3,378
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} [[Canterbury Bulldogs]]
|18 – 22
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Wigan|16}} [[Wigan Warriors]]'''
|Monday 9 June, 7:30{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Belmore Sports Ground]], [[Sydney]]
|[[Graham Annesley]]
|10,680
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Bradford|16}} [[Bradford Bulls]]
|16 – 20
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Penrith|16}} [[Penrith Panthers]]'''
|Monday 9 June, 7:45{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Odsal Stadium]], [[Bradford]]
|David Campbell
|14,378
|-
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| colspan="7" align="left" |Byes: {{leagueicon|Sheffield|16}} [[Sheffield Eagles]], {{leagueicon|Oldham|16}} [[Oldham R.L.F.C.|Oldham Bears]]
|-
| colspan="7" align="left" |References: [https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/competitions/world-club-challenge-1997/results.html RLP] <ref name="Fixtures">{{cite news |title=World Club Championship - Fixtures |work=Sunday Mirror |date=1 June 1997 |location=London, United Kingdom |page=69}}<!-- Sunday Mirror printed the fixture list including times https://www.proquest.com/docview/339235820/297189507B3D43BBPQ/3?accountid=13905&sourcetype=Newspapers --></ref>
|}

===Round 2===
;June 13–16
{| class="wikitable" style="border-collapse:collapse; text-align:center; width:100%;"
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;"  style="background:#c1d8ff;"
! rowspan="2" |Home
! rowspan="2" |Score
! rowspan="2" |Away
! colspan="4" |Match information
|-
! width="17%" |Day & Time (local)
! width="17%" |Venue
! width="17%" |Referee
! width="5%" |Attendance
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Adelaide|16}} [[Adelaide Rams]]'''
|34 – 8
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Leeds|16}} [[Leeds Rhinos]]
|Friday 13 June, 8:00{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Adelaide Oval]], [[Adelaide]]
|Steve Clarke
|14,630
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Castleford|16}} [[Castleford Tigers]]
|12 – 42
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Hunter|16}} [[Hunter Mariners]]'''
|Friday 13 June, 7:30{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Wheldon Road]], [[Castleford]]
|[[Stuart Cummings]]
|3,087
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} [[North Queensland Cowboys]]'''
|54 – 16
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Oldham|16}} [[Oldham R.L.F.C.|Oldham Bears]]
|Saturday 14 June, 7:30{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Willows Sports Complex|Stockland Stadium]], [[Townsville]]
|[[Graham Annesley]]
|12,631
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;"
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Bradford|16}} [[Bradford Bulls]]
|16 – 20
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Auckland|16}} [[Auckland Warriors]]'''
|Saturday 14 June, 6:00{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Odsal Stadium]], [[Bradford]]
|Russell Smith
|13,133
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Canberra|16}} [[Canberra Raiders]]'''
|66 – 20
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|London|16}} [[London Broncos]]
|Sunday 15 June, 2:30{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Bruce Stadium]], [[Canberra]]
|[[Tim Mander]]
|6,471
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} [[Canterbury Bulldogs]]'''
|58 – 6
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Halifax|16}} [[Halifax R.L.F.C.|Halifax Blue Sox]]
|Sunday 15 June, 2:30{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Belmore Sports Ground]], [[Sydney]]
|Brian Grant
|5,034
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Warrington|16}} [[Warrington Wolves]]
|22 – 52
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Penrith|16}} [[Penrith Panthers]]'''
|Sunday 15 June, 3:00{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Wilderspool Stadium]], [[Warrington]]
|Robert Connolly
|3,850
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Sheffield|16}} [[Sheffield Eagles]]'''
|26 – 22
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Perth|16}} [[Perth Reds]]
|Sunday 15 June, 6:35{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Don Valley Stadium]], [[Sheffield]]
|John Connolly
|2,065
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Brisbane|16}} [[Brisbane Broncos]]'''
|34 – 0
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Wigan|16}} [[Wigan Warriors]]
|Monday 16 June, 7:30{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre|ANZ Stadium]], [[Brisbane]]
|[[Bill Harrigan]]
|14,833
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|St Helens|16}} [[St Helens R.F.C.|St Helens]]
|8 – 48
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Cronulla|16}} [[Cronulla Sharks]]'''
|Monday 16 June, 7:45{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Knowsley Road]], [[St Helens R.F.C.|St Helens]]
|David Campbell
|8,039
|-
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| colspan="7" align="left" |Byes: {{leagueicon|psg|16}} [[Paris Saint-Germain Rugby League|Paris St-Germain]], {{leagueicon|Salford City|16}} [[Salford Red Devils|Salford Reds]]
|-
| colspan="7" align="left" |References: [https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/competitions/world-club-challenge-1997/results.html RLP] <ref name="Fixtures"/>
|}

===Round 3===
;June 20–23
{| class="wikitable" style="border-collapse:collapse; text-align:center; width:100%;"
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;"  style="background:#c1d8ff;"
! rowspan="2" |Home
! rowspan="2" |Score
! rowspan="2" |Away
! colspan="4" |Match information
|-
! width="17%" |Day & Time (local)
! width="17%" |Venue
! width="17%" |Referee
! width="5%" |Attendance
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Adelaide|16}} [[Adelaide Rams]]'''
|42 – 14
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Oldham|16}} [[Oldham R.L.F.C.|Oldham Bears]]
|Friday 20 June, 8:00{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Adelaide Oval]], [[Adelaide]]
|[[Graham Annesley]]
|13,852
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Sheffield|16}} [[Sheffield Eagles]]
|4 – 40
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Hunter|16}} [[Hunter Mariners]]'''
|Friday 20 June, 7:30{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Don Valley Stadium]], [[Sheffield]]
|Russell Smith
|2,350
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Bradford|16}} [[Bradford Bulls]]
|10 – 30
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Cronulla|16}} [[Cronulla Sharks]]'''
|Friday 20 June, 7:30{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Odsal Stadium]], [[Bradford]]
|Stuart Cummings
|10,756
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;"
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} [[North Queensland Cowboys]]'''
|44 – 8
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Salford City|16}} [[Salford Red Devils|Salford Reds]]
|Saturday 21 June, 7:30{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Willows Sports Complex|Stockland Stadium]], [[Townsville]]
|Brian Grant
|15,508
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|psg|16}} [[Paris Saint-Germain Rugby League|Paris St-Germain]]'''
|24 – 0
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Perth|16}} [[Perth Reds]]
|Saturday 21 June, 7:00{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Charlety Stadium]], Paris
|David Campbell
|3,500
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Brisbane|16}} [[Brisbane Broncos]]'''
|76 – 0
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Halifax|16}} [[Halifax R.L.F.C.|Halifax Blue Sox]]
|Sunday 22 June, 2:30{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre|ANZ Stadium]], [[Brisbane]]
|[[Tim Mander]]
|11,358
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Canberra|16}} [[Canberra Raiders]]'''
|56 – 22
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Wigan|16}} [[Wigan Warriors]]
|Sunday 22 June, 2:30{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Bruce Stadium]], [[Canberra]]
|Steve Clark
|9,098
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|St Helens|16}} [[St Helens R.F.C.|St Helens]]
|30 – 50
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Penrith|16}} [[Penrith Panthers]]'''
|Sunday 22 June, 6:35{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Knowsley Road]], [[St Helens R.F.C.|St Helens]]
|John Connolly
|6,671
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} [[Canterbury Bulldogs]]'''
|34 – 18
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|London|16}} [[London Broncos]]
|Monday 23 June, 7:30{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Belmore Sports Ground]], [[Sydney]]
|[[Bill Harrigan]]
|7,272
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Warrington|16}} [[Warrington Wolves]]
|28 – 56
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Auckland|16}} [[Auckland Warriors]]'''
|Monday 23 June, 7:45{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Wilderspool Stadium]], [[Warrington]]
|Steve Presley
|4,428
|-
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| colspan="7" align="left" |Byes: {{leagueicon|Castleford|16}} [[Castleford Tigers]], {{leagueicon|Leeds|16}} [[Leeds Rhinos]]
|-
| colspan="7" align="left" |References: [https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/competitions/world-club-challenge-1997/results.html RLP] <ref name="Fixtures"/>
|}
===Round 4===
;July 18–21
{| class="wikitable" style="border-collapse:collapse; text-align:center; width:100%;"
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;"  style="background:#c1d8ff;"
! rowspan="2" |Home
! rowspan="2" |Score
! rowspan="2" |Away
! colspan="4" |Match information
|-
! width="17%" |Day & Time (local)
! width="17%" |Venue
! width="17%" |Referee
! width="5%" |Attendance
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Penrith|16}} [[Penrith Panthers]]'''
|48 – 12
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Warrington|16}} [[Warrington Wolves]]
|Friday 18 July, 7:30{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Penrith Football Stadium]], [[Penrith, New South Wales|Penrith]]
|Brian Grant
|5,642
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Oldham|16}} [[Oldham R.L.F.C.|Oldham Bears]]'''
|20 – 16
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} [[North Queensland Cowboys]]
|Friday 18 July, 7:30{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Boundary Park]], [[Oldham]]
|Robert Connolly
|2,961
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Leeds|16}} [[Leeds Rhinos]]'''
|22 – 14
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Adelaide|16}} [[Adelaide Rams]]
|Friday 18 July, 7:30{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Headingley Rugby Stadium]], [[Leeds]]
|Russell Smith
|11,269
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;"
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Perth|16}} [[Perth Reds]]'''
|48 – 12
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Sheffield|16}} [[Sheffield Eagles]]
|Saturday 19 July, 7:30{{nbsp}}pm
|[[WACA Ground]], [[Perth]]
|Steve Clark
|7,429
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Auckland|16}} [[Auckland Warriors]]'''
|76 – 0
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Bradford|16}} [[Bradford Bulls]]
|Sunday 20 July, 2:30{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Mt Smart Stadium|Ericsson Stadium]], [[Auckland]]
|[[Bill Harrigan]]
|12,500
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Hunter|16}} [[Hunter Mariners]]'''
|26 – 8
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Castleford|16}} [[Castleford Tigers]]
|Sunday 20 July, 2:30{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Topper Stadium]], [[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]]
|[[Tim Mander]]
|3,379
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Halifax|16}} [[Halifax R.L.F.C.|Halifax Blue Sox]]
|22 – 40
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} [[Canterbury Bulldogs]]'''
|Sunday 20 July, 3:00{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Thrum Hall]], [[Halifax, West Yorkshire|Halifax]]
|Steve Presley
|3,300
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Wigan|16}} [[Wigan Warriors]]
|4 – 30
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Brisbane|16}} [[Brisbane Broncos]]'''
|Sunday 20 July, 6:35{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Central Park (Wigan)|Central Park]], [[Wigan]]
|Stuart Cummings
|13,476
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Cronulla|16}} [[Cronulla Sharks]]'''
|28 – 12
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|St Helens|16}} [[St Helens R.F.C.|St. Helens]]
|Monday 21 July, 7:30{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Endeavour Field|Shark Park]], [[Sydney]]
|[[Graham Annesley]]
|7,721
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|London|16}} [[London Broncos]]'''
|38 – 18
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Canberra|16}} [[Canberra Raiders]]
|Monday 21 July, 7:30{{nbsp}}pm
|[[The Stoop]], London
|John Connolly
|7,819
|-
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| colspan="7" align="left" |Byes: {{leagueicon|psg|16}} [[Paris Saint-Germain Rugby League|Paris St-Germain]], {{leagueicon|Salford City|16}} [[Salford Red Devils|Salford Reds]]
|-
| colspan="7" align="left" |References: [https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/competitions/world-club-challenge-1997/results.html RLP] <ref name="Fixtures"/>
|}

===Round 5===
;July 25–28
{| class="wikitable" style="border-collapse:collapse; text-align:center; width:100%;"
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;"  style="background:#c1d8ff;"
! rowspan="2" |Home
! rowspan="2" |Score
! rowspan="2" |Away
! colspan="4" |Match information
|-
! width="17%" |Day & Time (local)
! width="17%" |Venue
! width="17%" |Referee
! width="5%" |Attendance
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Auckland|16}} [[Auckland Warriors]]'''
|70 – 6
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|St Helens|16}} [[St Helens R.F.C.|St. Helens]]
|Friday 25 July, 7:30{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Mt Smart Stadium|Ericsson Stadium]], [[Auckland]]
|Steve Clark
|18,354
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Oldham|16}} [[Oldham R.L.F.C.|Oldham Bears]]
|2 – 18
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Adelaide|16}} [[Adelaide Rams]]'''
|Friday 25 July, 7:30{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Boundary Park]], [[Oldham]]
|John Connolly
|3,315
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;"
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Cronulla|16}} [[Cronulla Sharks]]'''
|44 – 0
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Warrington|16}} [[Warrington Wolves]]
|Saturday 26 July, 7:30{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Endeavour Field|Shark Park]], [[Sydney]]
|[[Tim Mander]]
|6,112
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Hunter|16}} [[Hunter Mariners]]'''
|32 – 0
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|psg|16}} [[Paris Saint-Germain Rugby League|Paris St-Germain]]
|Sunday 27 July, 2:30{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Topper Stadium]], [[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]]
|[[Graham Annesley]]
|2,210
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Perth|16}} [[Perth Reds]]'''
|24 – 14
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Castleford|16}} [[Castleford Tigers]]
|Sunday 27 July, 2:30{{nbsp}}pm
|[[WACA Ground]], [[Perth]]
|Brian Grant
|12,500
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Halifax|16}} [[Halifax R.L.F.C.|Halifax Blue Sox]]
|12 – 42
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Canberra|16}} [[Canberra Raiders]]'''
|Sunday 27 July, 3:00{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Thrum Hall]], [[Halifax, West Yorkshire|Halifax]]
|Robert Connolly
|3,620
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Salford City|16}} [[Salford Red Devils|Salford City Reds]]
|14 – 24
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} [[North Queensland Cowboys]]'''
|Sunday 27 July, 3:00{{nbsp}}pm
|[[The Willows, Salford|The Willows]], [[City of Salford|Salford]]
|Steve Presley
|7,448
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|London|16}} [[London Broncos]]
|16 – 34
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Brisbane|16}} [[Brisbane Broncos]]'''
|Sunday 27 July, 6:35{{nbsp}}pm
|[[The Stoop]], London
|Stuart Cummings
|9,846
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Penrith|16}} [[Penrith Panthers]]'''
|54 – 14
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Bradford|16}} [[Bradford Bulls]]
|Monday 28 July, 7:30{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Penrith Football Stadium]], [[Penrith, New South Wales|Penrith]]
|[[Bill Harrigan]]
|5,336
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Wigan|16}} [[Wigan Warriors]]'''
|31 – 24
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} [[Canterbury Bulldogs]]
|Monday 28 July, 7:45{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Central Park (Wigan)|Central Park]], [[Wigan]]
|Russell Smith
|10,280
|-
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| colspan="7" align="left" |Byes: {{leagueicon|Leeds|16}} [[Leeds Rhinos]], {{leagueicon|Sheffield|16}} [[Sheffield Eagles]]
|-
| colspan="7" align="left" |References: [https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/competitions/world-club-challenge-1997/results.html RLP] <ref name="Fixtures"/>
|}

===Round 6===
;August 1–4
{| class="wikitable" style="border-collapse:collapse; text-align:center; width:100%;"
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;"  style="background:#c1d8ff;"
! rowspan="2" |Home
! rowspan="2" |Score
! rowspan="2" |Away
! colspan="4" |Match information
|-
! width="17%" |Day & Time (local)
! width="17%" |Venue
! width="17%" |Referee
! width="5%" |Attendance
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Perth|16}} [[Perth Reds]]'''
|18 – 8
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|psg|16}} [[Paris Saint-Germain Rugby League|Paris St-Germain]]
|Friday 1 August, 6:30{{nbsp}}pm
|[[WACA Ground]], [[Perth]]
|[[Tim Mander]]
|5,690
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|London|16}} [[London Broncos]]
|22 – 44
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} [[Canterbury Bulldogs]]'''
|Friday 1 August, 7:30{{nbsp}}pm
|[[The Stoop]], London
|John Connolly
|6,923
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;"
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Cronulla|16}} [[Cronulla Sharks]]'''
|40 – 12
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Bradford|16}} [[Bradford Bulls]]
|Saturday 2 August, 7:30{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Endeavour Field|Shark Park]], [[Sydney]]
|Brian Grant
|8,272
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Auckland|16}} [[Auckland Warriors]]'''
|16 – 4
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Warrington|16}} [[Warrington Wolves]]
|Sunday 3 August, 2:30{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Lancaster Park]], [[Christchurch]]
|[[Graham Annesley]]
|5,500
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Hunter|16}} [[Hunter Mariners]]'''
|58 – 12
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Castleford|16}} [[Castleford Tigers]]
|Sunday 3 August, 2:30{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Topper Stadium]], [[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]]
|Steve Clark
|1,965
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Wigan|16}} [[Wigan Warriors]]
|12 – 50
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Canberra|16}} [[Canberra Raiders]]'''
|Sunday 3 August, 3:00{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Central Park (Wigan)|Central Park]], [[Wigan]]
|Steve Presley
|12,504
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Salford City|16}} [[Salford Red Devils|Salford City Reds]]'''
|14 – 12
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Adelaide|16}} [[Adelaide Rams]]
|Sunday 3 August, 6:35{{nbsp}}pm
|[[The Willows, Salford|The Willows]], [[City of Salford|Salford]]
|Stuart Cummings
|6,995
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Leeds|16}} [[Leeds Rhinos]]
|14 – 48
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} [[North Queensland Cowboys]]'''
|Sunday 3 August, 8:00{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Headingley Rugby Stadium]], [[Leeds]]
|Russell Smith
|12,224
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Penrith|16}} [[Penrith Panthers]]'''
|32 – 26
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|St Helens|16}} [[St Helens R.F.C.|St. Helens]]
|Monday 4 August, 7:30{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Penrith Football Stadium]], [[Penrith, New South Wales|Penrith]]
|[[Bill Harrigan]]
|5,303
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| align="left" |{{leagueicon|Halifax|16}} [[Halifax R.L.F.C.|Halifax Blue Sox]]
|10 – 54
| align="left" |'''{{leagueicon|Brisbane|16}} [[Brisbane Broncos]]'''
|Monday 4 August, 7:45{{nbsp}}pm
|[[Thrum Hall]], [[Halifax, West Yorkshire|Halifax]]
|Robert Connolly
|3,255
|-
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f5faff;" 
| colspan="7" align="left" |Byes: {{leagueicon|Castleford|16}} [[Castleford Tigers]], {{leagueicon|Oldham|16}} [[Oldham R.L.F.C.|Oldham Bears]]
|-
| colspan="7" align="left" |References: [https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/competitions/world-club-challenge-1997/results.html RLP] <ref name="Fixtures"/>
|}

==Playoffs==
===Bracket===
{{9TeamBracket|nowrap=y
| boldwinner=high
| RD1=Elimination qualifier
| RD2=Quarter-finals
| RD3=Semi finals
| RD4=Final

| RD1-seed1=
| RD1-team1={{leagueicon|St Helens|16}} [[St Helens R.F.C.|St. Helens]]
| RD1-score1=42
| RD1-seed2=
| RD1-team2={{leagueicon|psg|16}} [[Paris Saint-Germain Rugby League|Paris St-Germain]]
| RD1-score2=4

| RD2-seed1=
| RD2-team1={{leagueicon|Brisbane|16}} [[Brisbane Broncos]]
| RD2-score1=66
| RD2-seed2=
| RD2-team2={{leagueicon|St Helens|16}} [[St Helens R.F.C.|St. Helens]]
| RD2-score2=12

| RD2-seed3=
| RD2-team3={{leagueicon|Auckland|16}} [[Auckland Warriors]]
| RD2-score3=62
| RD2-seed4=
| RD2-team4={{leagueicon|Bradford|16}} [[Bradford Bulls]]
| RD2-score4=14

| RD2-seed5=
| RD2-team5={{leagueicon|Wigan|16}} [[Wigan Warriors]]
| RD2-score5=18
| RD2-seed6=
| RD2-team6={{leagueicon|Hunter|16}} [[Hunter Mariners]]
| RD2-score6=22

| RD2-seed7=
| RD2-team7={{leagueicon|London Broncos|16}} [[London Broncos]]
| RD2-score7=16
| RD2-seed8=
| RD2-team8={{leagueicon|Cronulla|16}} [[Cronulla Sharks]]
| RD2-score8=40

| RD3-seed1=
| RD3-team1={{leagueicon|Brisbane|16}} [[Brisbane Broncos]]
| RD3-score1=22
| RD3-seed2=
| RD3-team2={{leagueicon|Auckland|16}} [[Auckland Warriors]]
| RD3-score2=16

| RD3-seed3=
| RD3-team3={{leagueicon|Cronulla|16}} [[Cronulla Sharks]]
| RD3-score3=18
| RD3-seed4=
| RD3-team4={{leagueicon|Hunter|16}} [[Hunter Mariners]]
| RD3-score4=22

| RD4-seed1=
| RD4-team1={{leagueicon|Brisbane|16}} [[Brisbane Broncos]]
| RD4-score1=36
| RD4-seed2=
| RD4-team2={{leagueicon|Hunter|16}} [[Hunter Mariners]]
| RD4-score2=12
}}
===Elimination qualifier===
{{rugbyleaguebox_collapsible
|bg         = f5faff
|date       = Wednesday, 13 August
|time       = 7:45&nbsp;pm
|team1      = [[St Helens R.F.C.|St. Helens]] {{leagueicon|St Helens|16}}
|points1    = 
|try1       =
|goal1      =
|drop1      =
|gfm1       =
|score      = 42 {{endash}} 4
|report     =
|team2      = {{nobold|{{leagueicon|psg|16}} [[Paris Saint-Germain Rugby League|Paris St-Germain]]}}
|points2    =
|try2       =
|goal2      =
|drop2      =
|gfm2       =
|stadium    = [[Knowsley Road]], [[St Helens, Merseyside|St. Helens]]
|location   = 
|attendance = 3,641
|referee    = Russell Smith
|manofmatch =
|touch      =
}}
===Quarter-finals===
{{rugbyleaguebox_collapsible
|bg         = f5faff
|date       = Friday, 3 October
|time       =
|team1      = [[Auckland Warriors]] {{leagueicon|Auckland|16}}
|points1    =
|try1       =
|goal1      =
|drop1      =
|gfm1       =
|score      = 62 {{endash}} 14
|report     =
|team2      = {{nobold|{{leagueicon|Bradford|16}} [[Bradford Bulls]]}}
|points2    =
|try2       =
|goal2      =
|drop2      =
|gfm2       =
|stadium    = [[Mt Smart Stadium|Ericsson Stadium]], [[Auckland]]
|location   = 
|attendance = 12,063
|referee    = [[Bill Harrigan]]
|manofmatch =
|touch      =
}}
{{rugbyleaguebox_collapsible
|bg         = f5faff
|date       = Friday, 3 October
|time       =
|team1      = {{nobold|[[Wigan Warriors]] {{leagueicon|Wigan|16}}}}
|points1    =
|try1       =
|goal1      =
|drop1      =
|gfm1       =
|score      = 18 {{endash}} 22
|report     =
|team2      = {{leagueicon|Bradford|16}} [[Hunter Mariners]]
|points2    =
|try2       =
|goal2      =
|drop2      =
|gfm2       =
|stadium    = [[Central Park (Wigan)|Central Park]], [[Wigan]]
|location   = 
|attendance = 9,553
|referee    = Russell Smith
|manofmatch =
|touch      =
}}
{{rugbyleaguebox_collapsible
|bg         = f5faff
|date       = Saturday, 4 October
|time       =
|team1      = [[Brisbane Broncos]] {{leagueicon|Brisbane|16}}
|points1    =
|try1       =
|goal1      =
|drop1      =
|gfm1       =
|score      = 66 {{endash}} 12
|report     =
|team2      = {{nobold|{{leagueicon|St Helens|16}} [[St Helens R.F.C.|St. Helens]]}}
|points2    =
|try2       =
|goal2      =
|drop2      =
|gfm2       =
|stadium    = [[Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre|ANZ Stadium]], [[Brisbane]]
|location   = 
|attendance = 6,438
|referee    = Steve Clark
|manofmatch =
|touch      =
}}
{{rugbyleaguebox_collapsible
|bg         = f5faff
|date       = Saturday, 4 October
|time       =
|team1      = {{nobold|[[London Broncos]] {{leagueicon|London|16}}}}
|points1    =
|try1       =
|goal1      =
|drop1      =
|gfm1       =
|score      = 16 {{endash}} 40
|report     =
|team2      = {{leagueicon|Cronulla|16}} [[Cronulla Sharks]]
|points2    =
|try2       =
|goal2      =
|drop2      =
|gfm2       =
|stadium    = [[The Stoop]], London
|location   = 
|attendance = 6,239
|referee    = [[Stuart Cummings]]
|manofmatch =
|touch      =
}}
===Semi-finals===
{{rugbyleaguebox_collapsible
|bg         = f5faff
|date       = Friday, 10 October
|time       = 19:30 [[Time in Australia|AEST]] ([[UTC+10]])
|team1      = [[Brisbane Broncos]] {{leagueicon|Brisbane|16}}
|points1    =
|try1       =[[Ben Walker (rugby league)|Walker]] {{try| |}} (2)<br>[[Gorden Tallis|Tallis]] {{try}}<br>[[Kevin Walters|Walters]] {{try}}
|goal1      =[[Ben Walker (rugby league)|Walker]] {{kick| | | }} (3)
|drop1      =
|gfm1       =
|score      = 22 {{endash}} 16
|1sthalf    = 10{{endash}}10
|2ndhalf    = 12{{endash}}6
|report     = [https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/world-club-challenge-1997/semi-final/brisbane-broncos-vs-auckland-warriors.html Report]
|team2      = {{nobold|{{leagueicon|Auckland|16}} [[Auckland Warriors]]}}
|points2    =
|try2       = [[Lee Oudenryn|Oudenryn]] {{try| | }} (2)<br>[[Shane Endacott|Endacott]] {{try}}
|goal2      = [[Matthew Ridge|Ridge]] {{kick| | }} (2)
|drop2      =
|gfm2       =
|stadium    = [[Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre|ANZ Stadium]], [[Brisbane]]
|location   = 
|attendance = 9,686
|referee    = [[Graham Annesley]]
|manofmatch =
|touch      =
}}
{{rugbyleaguebox_collapsible
|bg         = f5faff
|date       = Saturday, 11 October
|time       = 19:30 [[Time in Australia|AEST]] ([[UTC+10]])
|team1      = {{nobold|[[Cronulla Sharks]] {{leagueicon|Cronulla|16}}}}
|points1    =
|try1       = [[Andrew Ettingshausen|Ettingshausen]] {{try}}<br>[[Russell Richardson|Richardson]] {{try}}<br>[[Mat Rogers|Rogers]] {{try}}
|goal1      = [[Mat Rogers|Rogers]] {{kick}} (3)
|drop1      =
|gfm1       =
|score      = 18 {{endash}} 22
|1sthalf    = 12{{endash}}12
|2ndhalf    = 6{{endash}}10
|report     = [https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/world-club-challenge-1997/semi-final/cronulla-sutherland-sharks-vs-hunter-mariners.html Report]
|team2      = {{leagueicon|Hunter|16}} [[Hunter Mariners]]
|points2    =
|try2       = [[Brett Kimmorley|Kimmorley]] {{try| | }} (2)<br>[[Darrien Doherty|Doherty]] {{try}}<br>[[Nick Zisti|Zisti]] {{try}}
|goal2      = [[Kevin Iro|K Iro]] {{kick| | }} (2)<br>[[Richard Swain|Swain]] {{kick}} (1)
|drop2      =
|gfm2       =
|stadium    = [[Endeavour Field|Shark Park]], [[Sydney]]
|location   = 
|attendance = 5,214
|referee    = [[Bill Harrigan]]
|manofmatch =
|touch      =
}}

==Final==
{{Infobox rugby league football match
|year         = 1997
|title        = World Club Championship final
|image        = EricssonStadium00.jpg <!-- Leave blank. Any logo into competition infobox at top of page -->
|imagesize    = 250px
|caption      = [[Mount Smart Stadium]] hosted the match
|alt          = 
|home         = [[Brisbane Broncos]]
|away         = [[Hunter Mariners]]
|home_league  = [[Super League (Australia)|SL]] {{flagicon|AUS}}
|away_league  = [[Super League (Australia)|SL]] {{flagicon|AUS}}
|home_abbr    = BRI {{leagueicon|Brisbane Broncos|16}}
|away_abbr    = HUN {{leagueicon|Hunter Mariners|16}}
|home_half1   = 26
|home_half2   = 10
|home_total   = 36
|away_half1   = 4
|away_half2   = 8
|away_total   = 12
|date         = 18 October 1997
|stadium      = [[Mount Smart Stadium]]
|location     = Auckland, New Zealand
|MoM          = 
|anthem_title = 
|anthem       = 
|anthem2_title=
|anthem2      =
|referee      = [[Graham Annesley]] {{flagicon|AUS}}
|attendance   = 10,300
|network      = {{Flagicon|AUS}} [[Fox Sports (Australia)|Fox Sports]] / [[Nine Network]]
|network2     = {{Flagicon|GBR}} [[Sky Sports]]
|commentators = [[Warren Boland]]
|commentators2= [[Brent Todd]]
|commentators3= [[Peter Mulholland]]
|commentators4= 
|tournaments  = [[World Club Challenge]]
|last         = [[1994 World Club Challenge|1994]]
|next         = [[2000 World Club Challenge|2000]]
}}

In their only year of existence, this would be the only final that the Hunter Mariners would appear in.

Three tries in 12 minutes from [[Brisbane Broncos]] centre [[Darren Smith (rugby league)|Darren Smith]] put the Broncos in a strong position in the first half to lead 26{{endash}}0 inside 30 minutes, with the [[Hunter Mariners]] only score a try to [[Nick Zisti]] just before the break.<ref name="GuardianReport">{{cite news |title=Rugby League: World Club C'ship: Broncos on top of the world Brisbane Broncos 36 Hunter Mariners 12 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=18 October 1997 |location=London, United Kingdom |page=10:1}}</ref>

After the interval, the Mariners came close to scoring, but were denied twice by the video referee.<ref name="GuardianReport"/> [[John Carlaw]] and Zisti would score tries to reduce the margin to 14 points,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mascord |first1=Steve |title=In-limbo Mariners fall gamely to Broncos |work=Sydney Morning Herald |publisher=John Fairfax Publications Pty Limited |date=18 October 1997 |location=Sydney, New South Wales |page=64}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Hadfield |first1=Dave |title=Rugby League: World Club Championship Final - Broncos' early burst leaves Mariners marooned |work=The Independent |date=18 October 1997 |location=London, United Kingdom |page=23}}</ref> but two late tries to the Broncos through [[Wendell Sailor]] and [[Steve Renouf]] gave the Brisbane side a dominant victory.<ref name="GuardianReport"/>

The Broncos collected {{AUD|1 million}} for winning the competition, with the Mariners collecting {{AUD|500,000}} which the club split 50-50 with the players.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Drzyzga |first1=Ben |title=Broncos burst Mariners' bubble |work=Newcastle Herald |publisher=Newcastle Newspapers Pty Limited |date=18 October 1997 |location=Newcastle, New South Wales |page=22}}</ref>

{{-}}
===Teams===
{| width=92%
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|{{Football kit
 |pattern_la = _SLMariners
 |pattern_b  = _SLMariners
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 |pattern_sh = 
 |pattern_so = _color_3_stripes_yellow
 |leftarm    = FFFF00
 |body       = FFFF00
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 |shorts     = 1F75FE
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 |title      = Hunter Mariners
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|}
{| width="100%"
|valign="top" width="50%"|
{| style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
|-
!width="25"| !!width="25"|
|-
|FB ||'''1'''||[[Darren Lockyer]]
|-
|RW ||'''18'''||[[Michael De Vere]]
|-
|RC ||'''13'''||[[Darren Smith (rugby league)|Darren Smith]]
|-
|LC ||'''4'''||[[Steve Renouf]]
|-
|LW ||'''5'''||[[Wendell Sailor]]
|-
|FE ||'''6'''||[[Kevin Walters]]
|-
|HB ||'''7'''||[[Allan Langer]] ([[Captain (sports)|c]])
|-
|PR ||'''21'''||[[Shane Webcke]]
|-
|HK ||'''9'''||[[John Plath]]
|-
|PR ||'''23'''||[[Andrew Gee (rugby league)|Andrew Gee]]
|-
|SR ||'''11'''||[[Gorden Tallis]]
|-
|SR ||'''10'''||[[Brad Thorn]]
|-
|LK ||'''12'''||[[Peter Ryan (rugby league)|Peter Ryan]]
|-
|colspan=3|'''Substitutions:'''
|-
|IC ||'''14'''||[[Ben Walker (rugby league)|Ben Walker]]
|-
|IC ||'''2'''||[[Michael Hancock (rugby league)|Michael Hancock]]
|-
|IC ||'''15'''||[[Tonie Carroll]]
|-
|IC ||'''33'''||[[Phillip Lee (rugby league)|Phillip Lee]]
|-
|colspan=3|'''Coach:'''
|-
|colspan="4"|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Wayne Bennett (rugby league)|Wayne Bennett]]
|}
|valign="top" width="50%"|
{| style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"
|-
!width="25"| !!width="25"|
|-
|FB ||'''1'''||[[Robbie Ross (rugby league)|Robbie Ross]]
|-
|RW ||'''3'''||[[Nick Zisti]]
|-
|LC ||'''6'''||[[Brad Godden]]
|-
|RC ||'''4'''||[[Kevin Iro]]
|-
|LW ||'''5'''||[[John Carlaw]]
|-
|FE ||'''21'''||[[Scott Hill (rugby league)|Scott Hill]]
|-
|HB ||'''20'''||[[Brett Kimmorley]]
|-
|PR ||'''31'''||[[Anthony Brann]]
|-
|HK ||'''9'''||[[Robbie McCormack]] ([[Captain (sports)|c]])
|-
|PR ||'''14'''||[[Troy Stone]]
|-
|SR ||'''16'''||[[Darrien Doherty]]
|-
|SR ||'''12'''||[[Paul Marquet]]
|-
|LK ||'''55'''||[[Tyran Smith]]
|-
|colspan=3|'''Substitutions:'''
|-
|IC ||'''2'''||[[Keith Beauchamp (rugby league)|Keith Beauchamp]]
|-
|IC ||'''10'''||[[Tim Maddison]]
|-
|IC ||'''11'''||[[Tony Iro]]
|-
|IC ||'''18'''||[[Richard Swain]]
|-
|colspan=3|'''Coach:'''
|-
|colspan="4"|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Graham Murray]]
|}
|}

{{-}}

===Match details===
{{Rugbyleaguebox
| bg         = #eeeeee
| date       = Friday, 17 October
| time       = 19:30 [[Time in New Zealand|NZST]] ([[UTC+12]])
| event      = 1997 World Club Challenge Final
| team1      = [[Brisbane Broncos]] {{leagueicon|Brisbane|16}}
| team2      = {{leagueicon|Hunter|16}} [[Hunter Mariners]]
| score      = 36 – 12
| 1sthalf    = 26{{endash}}4
| 2ndhalf    = 10{{endash}}8
| report     = <ref>[http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/world-club-challenge-1997/grand-final/brisbane-vs-hunter.html 1997 WCC Final - Brisbane vs Hunter]</ref>
| try1       = '''7'''<br> [[Darren Smith (rugby league)|D Smith]] {{try|18|24|28}}<br> [[Kevin Walters|Walters]] {{try|4}}<br>[[John Plath|Plath]] {{try|12}}<br> [[Wendell Sailor|Sailor]] {{try|74}}<br>[[Steve Renouf|Renouf]] {{try|79}}
| goal1      = '''4'''<br> [[Michael De Vere|De Vere]] {{kick|5|13|29}} {{small|(3/5)}} <br> [[Ben Walker|Walker]] {{kick|75}} {{small|(1/2)}}
| try2       = '''3'''<br> [[Nick Zisti|Zisti]] {{try|35|64}}<br> [[John Carlaw|Carlaw]] {{try|53}}
| goal2      = '''0'''<br> [[Kevin Iro|K Iro]] {{small|(0/2)}}<br>[[Richard Swain|Swain]] {{small|(0/1)}}
| stadium    = [[Mt Smart Stadium|Ericsson Stadium]], [[Auckland]]
| attendance = 10,300
| referee    = [[Graham Annesley]] {{flagicon|AUS}}
| manofmatch = 
}}

{{-}}

==Aftermath==
The dominance of the Australasian sides in the competition led to the [[Rugby Football League]] appointing [[Joe Lydon (rugby)|Joe Lydon]] to head a commission to provide an explanation.<ref name="SLa">{{cite book   | last = Robinson  | first = John  | title = Super League Official Annual 1998  | publisher = World International | date = 1997  | page = 42  | isbn =0-7498-3389-0 }}</ref> The general conclusion was that the Australian sides were no more skillful than the European teams, the main difference as it had been in international football since the late 1970s, was fitness, something that they were working on by the time of the season ending [[Super League Test series]] between the Super League [[Australian Kangaroos|Australian]]s and the [[Great Britain Lions]] in England in November.

==See also==
*[[World Club Challenge]]
*[[Super League (Australia) season 1997]]
*[[Super League II]]
*[[Brisbane Broncos 1997]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_19970606/ai_n14105225 "Global show hits Knowsley Road" - article by Dave Hadfield at ''The Independent'' (London),  June 6, 1997]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070608005427/http://www2.hunterlink.net.au/~maajjs/sum/int1997.htm#World%20Club%20Challenge 1997 World Club Challenge at hunterlink.net.au]
*[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_19971018/ai_n14138360 "World Club Championship Final – Broncos' early burst" – article by Dave Hadfield at ''The Independent'' (London),  Oct 18, 1997]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080502152927/http://www.superleague.co.uk/wcc_1997.php?rid=321 1997 World Club Challenge at superleague.co.uk]
*[https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/competitions/world-club-challenge-1997/summary.html 1997 World Club Challenge at Rugby League Project]

{{World Club Challenge}}
{{Brisbane Broncos - 1997 World Club Championship Winners}}
{{Brisbane Broncos}}
{{1997 in rugby league}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:World Club Challenge}}
[[Category:World Club Challenge|1997]]
[[Category:Brisbane Broncos]]
[[Category:1997 in English rugby league]]
[[Category:1997 in New Zealand rugby league]]
[[Category:1997 in Australian rugby league]]
[[Category:1997 in French rugby league]]