Winger Scott Donald and prop Kylie Leuluai both joined Rhinos from Manly, who crushed Melbourne Storm 40-0 in Australia's National Rugby League Grand Final last Sunday, a day after Leeds' 24-16 victory over St Helens in the engage Super League title decider.

Exact details of the game have yet to be agreed, but it is likely to be staged in England – probably at Elland Road – next February.

Donald joined Rhinos from Manly for the 2006 season, after scoring 48 tries in 68 appearances for the Sea Eagles from 2003 to 2005.

"It is going to be a great occasion for both Kylie and myself," he said.

"I will be quite happy to have the game over here. I don't think the boys over there like the cold too much, so over here would be a big advantage with the weather, as well as our fans.

"The way they turned out on Saturday, they deserve to have it over here again."

Donald was too busy celebrating Rhinos' triumph to catch live coverage of Manly's NRL victory, but he said: "I think they've been building up to it for the last two years.

"Their coaches have said they weren't quite prepared enough last year, but this time – going by the scoreline – they were extremely well prepared and it has shown on the field."

Donald – scorer of Rhinos' only try in the 10-4 World Club Challenge victory over Melbourne eight months ago – insisted he has no problems playing for an English club against his former Aussie team-mates.

"It will be a strange feeling," he admitted. "Some of the people over there are my mates for life and I didn't think that I would have to play against them.

"Now I am going to and it is going to be a great occasion and one that I'm looking forward to.

"Manly will be well prepared, Des Hasler will have them ready to go and they will definitely want to win it. It is going to be a tough game."

Leuluai made 57 appearances for Manly between 2004 and 2006.

He said: "I was hoping we would get through and then Manly would get through so I could play against my old club.

"Both clubs are pretty special in my heart.

"I will be catching up with a few of their boys when I'm in Australia in a few weeks' time, so it should be good."

Both teams will show changes from their Grand Final-winning line-ups, but the Leeds prop reckons next year's showdown could be a classic.

"They showed on Sunday that they are a quality team, beating Melbourne by 40," he said.

"Saying that, Melbourne have had a long, long year, coming over here to play us at the start.

"They were missing a couple of key players and I think with Manly losing last year, they were quite embarrassed. they will have been building up for that game the whole year."

Leuluai is also happy for the cross-hemisphere game to be staged in England.

"That's where it's all at," he said. "You can't beat the atmosphere over here. I am sure the Manly boys will appreciate the atmosphere, just like we do."