A battle of the number nines could prove crucial in this year's Carnegie World Club Challenge.

That's why the Bulls' Ian Henderson knows he can ill afford to have a slow start when hostilities fire up on Friday.

He will face-off against one of the players who inspired Wests Tigers' surge to the NRL title.

"Robbie Farah is a good player," said the Bulls' own Aussie hooker.

"I played against him a year or two ago in the reserve grades back home. He had a lot of skills back then but I didn't think he'd become as good as he has."

A pivotal player around the ruck who sets in motion many of Wests' offensive manoeuvres, Farah is likely to take on extra responsibility given the absence of the visitors' main creative force, Benjo Marshall.

"You get a lot of hookers who do plenty of defensive work but he's also a real dangerous attacker," added Henderson.

"Along with full back Brett Hodgson and half-back Scott Prince, he's one of the players we really have to keep an eye on.

"Farah has a lot of influence on the side and I'm keen to go up against him."

Henderson, 22, was a hit himself last year after his mid-season move from Parramatta Eels.

Having left Sydney, the pocket dynamo soon ingratiated himself to the Bulls faithful, solving the club's nine dilemma and delivering a series of punchy

displays on the way to Grand Final glory.

Approaching the kick-off of his first full campaign at Bradford, Henderson is keen to continue where he left off - which means lifting more silverware at the Galpharm Stadium.

"I'm feeling pretty confident," he said, ahead of Friday's crunch clash and on the back of some crisp displays in the club's friendlies so far.

"I've got a good pre-season under my belt and am feeling well. I'm looking forward to the test.

"It's the first time I've played in the World Club Challenge and a lot of us haven't done this before.

"Everyone is excited and keen to win this title. We all want to kick off and reach another Grand Final but the World Club Challenge is something we can enjoy now."

Wests Tigers have included 11 members of their Grand Final-winning team in an 18-strong squad.

Coach Tim Sheens omitted centre Shane Elford and stand-off Ben Reynolds due to injury but New Zealand internationals Paul Whatuira, Jamaal Lolesi and Bronson Harrison and Aussie Test star Prince all travelled and trained in Leeds this morning.