Manly Sea Eagles claimed the Carnegie World Club Challenge with a 28-20 win over Leeds Rhinos at Elland Road.

The Rhinos were undone by a seven-minute period after the restart when Manly scored three quick tries.

Leeds tried to get back into the game from an almost-impossible position, but the NRL Premiers had already done enough to win.

It was an even-handed start to the encounter but the game clicked into gear when Rob Burrow was flattened by a huge tackle by Anthony Watmough and had to leave the field.

Just a few minutes later Jamie Peacock found himself in a fist fight with Josh Perry and both players were sent to the bin, the penalty going Manly’s way.

From the resulting pressure the Sea Eagles attacked their opponents’ line and opened the scoring when Brett Stewart crashed over, Matt Orford adding the conversion.

A second try came ten minutes later when Watmough latched on to a short pass to cut between two defenders and touch down, Orford again converting.

Manly could have extended their lead still further with another Watmough break, but Stewart fumbled the pass, and instead it was the Rhinos who scored.

Danny McGuire sprinted over the line only to be dispossed by a brilliant piece of defending, but Jamie Jones-Buchanan was on hand to touch down the loose ball, the half-time score 12-4.

Manly made a blistering start to the second period, Michael Robertson forcing his way down the wing and flinging the ball inside, a Leeds fumble allowing Stewart to claim a second.

Robertson made a similar break from the restart, this time kicking the ball inside for Watmough to grab a second, Orford converting this time.

The attacking was relentless: a brilliant move upfield from the kick off saw Manly with an overlap in the Leeds 20, Steve Matai the beneficiary, touching down at the corner to make the score 26-4.

Leeds battled back and managed to get onto the scoresheet after a penalty awarded near the Manly line, Ali Lauitiiti’s brilliant pass to the left enough for Senior to score, Sinfield converting.

A third try came when Ryan Hall dashed down the wing to touch down, Sinfield’s conversion going in off the post, but there was never enough time for the comeback.

Instead the Sea Eagles extended their lead with a penalty, and although McGuire crossed to add respectability to the final score, Manly were deserved winners.

Leeds – 20

T: Jones-Buchanan (37); Senior (64); Hall (72); McGuire (80)
G: Sinfield (65, 73)

Manly – 28

T: Stewart (21, 43); Watmough (29, 45); Matai (47)
G: Orford (22, 30, 46, 76)

HT: 4-12

Ref: J Robinson (Aus)

Att: