World Club Series - What we learned second time around ...

IT may have ended in disappointment for Super League's three clubs, but there was much to favour during the second instalment of the World Club Series.
Leeds Rhinos' Mitch Garbutt (left) punches North Queensland Cowboys James Tamou (floor), resulting in a red card.Leeds Rhinos' Mitch Garbutt (left) punches North Queensland Cowboys James Tamou (floor), resulting in a red card.
Leeds Rhinos' Mitch Garbutt (left) punches North Queensland Cowboys James Tamou (floor), resulting in a red card.

Here, our man Peter Smith picks out five things we have learned from the tournament.

1: Australian teams are better than Super League sides. Much better. The aggregate over the three games was Super League 28, NRL 118.

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Video - Leeds Rhinos 4 North Queensland Cowboys 38 - Mitch Garbutt sees red as R...
Leeds Rhinos' Mitch Garbutt (left) is sent off after punchin North Queensland Cowboys James Tamou.Leeds Rhinos' Mitch Garbutt (left) is sent off after punchin North Queensland Cowboys James Tamou.
Leeds Rhinos' Mitch Garbutt (left) is sent off after punchin North Queensland Cowboys James Tamou.
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2: Pressure will mount for the salary cap to be scrapped. Clubs in the NRL - and rugby union - have far greater spending power, which means they can attract better players.

3: The Aussies don’t do anything startling, but perform the basics very well. They apply pressure, the half-backs put players into gaps and support is always there.

4: England does produce good players, though not enough of them. Brisbane’s try-scoring full-back against Wigan was Greg Eden, from Castleford.

5: The concept is a good one, but there is no point expanding it until Super League clubs become more competitive. So far their record is played six, lost six.