Rugby League: Canterbury on alert after riots

Wigan have been promised that there will be extra security on duty for their opening World Club Challenge match on Monday, following a riot at the home ground of their opponents, Canterbury.

Fighting broke out after a disallowed try in their defeat by Penrith and continued at a local railway station after the match. Crowd violence is as rare at Australian rugby league matches as it is in Britain and the club is confident there will be no repetition next Monday.

The London Broncos, who also play Canterbury in the early group matches of the tournament, were at the match, but their coach, Tony Currie, was far from impressed.

"We've heard a lot about how good the Australian teams are, but that match put us to sleep for an hour," said Currie. London begin their programme with the first game of the tournament against their namesakes, the Brisbane Broncos, who have named a near full-strength side for the game on Friday.

Leeds, who play North Queensland on Saturday, will have their regular full-back, Damian Gibson, fit to face his former club after he recovered from a bout of 'flu.

Salford players are to have a whip-round to meet the cost of taking their injured team-mate Scott Naylor with them to Adelaide where they play on Sunday, while Matt Munro has flown out to his native Australia to catch up with his Oldham colleagues, after having a minor knee operation.