IT is becoming increasingly difficult to find people willing to back St. Helens against Brisbane Broncos in the World Club Challenge on Friday.

Warrington Wolves coach Darryl Van de Velde has joined the vocal army of support for the Australian NRL premiers to topple Saints at Bolton's Reebok Stadium.

Former Brisbane players, now plying their trade in England, Steve Renouf, Michael Hancock and Kevin Walters have all backed the Broncos.

Van de Velde has worked closely with a number of the club's players and officials before and highly rates their chances despite admitting that their team is not as strong as the one which won the Australian Grand Final against Sydney City Roosters.

He said: "The Broncos will field a very young side but it will be a talented one as the nucleus of the side is still there."

Van de Velde believes that Australian sides are still a touch above British teams and particularly in the Brisbane area.

He said: "Australian teams are that little bit stronger.

"People have to realise that in Brisbane the strength in depth is phenominal.

"They have an academy team that is almost as good as their first.

"The second string is that good that any player can be brought into the first team straight away.

"Over here it has to be done gradually but with Brisbane they can do it all in one hit."

Brisbane Broncos have a luxurious advantage over teams from Sydney. Whereas Sydney is home to more than half of the teams in the NRL Brisbane, Australia's major east coast city, provides players for just one team.

Brisbane have recruited two youngsters who are billed as Australia's hottest property.

Stand off Scott Prince, signed from North Queensland, and centre Stuart Kelly, bought from Parramatta, are the Broncos' new key men.

Van de Velde said: "They are very gifted players - Prince was Australia's player of the year last season. They will both slot into the team easily."

Prince and fellow youngster Shaun Berrigan will replace Walters and Ben Ikin in the half back positions.

Van de Velde signed loose forward Phil Lee when he was in charge of the Queensland Crushers and said: "He is very talented and a very good ball player, he can play a number of positions including hooker."

Another player, prop Petero Civoniceva, learned his trade at Van de Velde's home town club Redcliffe.

Petero, nicknamed 'Pedro', is a six feet 4ins tall Fijian and the Wolves coach also rates him very highly.