Peacock seeking title treble

Great Britain captain Jamie Peacock is eyeing a hat-trick of World Club Challenge medals and, with it, another boost for the British game.

The Leeds Rhinos forward, who led Great Britain to a 3-0 series whitewash of New Zealand in the autumn, is hoping to send out a message to Australia ahead of the World Cup when the Super League champions take on NRL premiers Melbourne Storm at Elland Road on Friday night.

Peacock, who won the World Club Challenge twice with Bradford, said: "I am patriotic and I feel like we are representing England. I've won two World Club Challenges and I'd dearly like to make it three out of three."

He added: "It's the best against the best and it would be good to get the bragging rights at the start of the year."

Scrum-half Cooper Cronk, who will captain Storm on Friday, teenage sensation Israel Folau and back-row forwards Ryan Hoffman and Dallas Johnson all made their Test debuts in the Kangaroos' record win in Wellington.

Two other members of that Australian side, stand-off Greg Inglis and hooker Cameron Smith, will be missing for Melbourne, and Peacock believes the champions will sorely miss their inspirational captain, who beat him to the prestigious Golden Boot as international player of the year for 2007.

"I have the utmost respect for Cameron Smith," he said. "He's a fantastic player and the way he played in State of Origin and for Melbourne throughout the year he deserved the Golden Boot.

"As the hooker he touches the ball more times than anybody else on the field, so he is a big loss for them.

"They have been the best team in the NRL for the last two years and, okay, they might have a couple of players missing but I'm sure the attitude and enthusiasm of the young players will more than make up for that.

"They have quite a skilful pack and a good attitude about them."