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Smith-inspired Melbourne defeat Leeds Rhinos

Melbourne Storm had the game's outstanding player in Cameron Smith © Getty Images

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Five goals from Cameron Smith helped Melbourne Storm to defeat Leeds Rhinos 18-10 in the World Club Challenge at Elland Road.

With heavy rain preventing a passing game developing, it was clear from an early stage that the team with the more reliable kicker would emerge victorious. Smith was successful with all five of his attempts, while Leeds suffered after the injury-provoked withdrawal of Kevin Sinfield's reliable boot.

The sides were level at half-time with two goals apiece, although Melbourne would have been the happier of the teams after Rhinos' talismanic captain Sinfield was forced off the field in the 26th minute with a thigh complaint.

Only the intervention of video referee Phil Bentham prevented a first-half try, with Rhinos' Kallum Watkins denied in the 14th minute after fumbling as he attempted to place the ball. Ryan Hinchcliffe thought he had crossed the line one minute shy of the break for the Australians, but a Billy Slater knock-on in the build-up scuppered his bid for four points.

A legitimate try was scored in the eight minute of the second period after Leeds' Danny McGuire profited from the ball taking a fortuitous ricochet off Brett Delaney's boot. The 27-year-old - who looked offside when he claimed the catch - ran the length of the field to go over in the corner before Rob Burrow converted.

Three minutes later the scores were again level after Luke MacDougall exhibited steady handling to put down, with Smith making no mistake from an acute kicking angle. Smith, the Storm's skipper, struck the goal on the hour mark that gave the NRL side the lead - the first time they had been in front - at 12-10.

As Rhinos pushed forward in an attempt to reclaim the lead, Watkins was again refused a score with five minutes remaining. After deliberating, Bentham decided that the player did not have control of the ball as he attempted to ground in the corner.

Anthony Quinn, with his first try in ten months, made no mistake in the 78th minute with the score that sealed the win for Melbourne. Smith - who else? - landed the kick that followed.

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