Brian Noble is tipping St Helens to scrape their way to victory in the World Club Challenge tonight.

The Bulls' fiercest rivals take on Sydney City Roosters at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton, looking to repeat Bradford's feat of beating Australian opponents to become world champions.

Noble believes it will be a tough game for last year's Grand Final winners.

"It is going to be a battle to get through this for Saints," said Noble.

"Sydney have brought over a full squad and look to be taking this game pretty seriously.

"But I just think St Helens will have enough firepower in the end. If they can hold them defensively they will have too much for the Aussies going forward."

And Noble admits that watching the game will be an all too stark reminder of what happened to his side at Old Trafford last October.

"It will bring back memories of the Grand Final," said Noble. "But it is more a case of what would we be doing against them? How would we have approached the game?

"Last season has gone for us now and we are preparing to start all over again for another long endurance test."

Last year Bradford began their season with victory over Newcastle Knights at the McAlpine Stadium to earn the world club champions crown.

Bulls fans will be praying for a bruising encounter tonight as Bradford travel to Knowsley Road in seven days time for the Super League opener.