The State of Origin decider better not get too heated - or Wayne Rooney might be called in as peacemaker.

Having repeatedly confessed his love of rugby league, the Manchester United forward will be the guest of honour at the match on July 17 at ANZ Stadium. The 27-year-old will be joined at the game by several other stars from the English Premier League champions, many of whom follow England's Super League closely. United will be in Sydney preparing for their clash against the A-League All Stars at the same venue three days later.

League lover: Wayne Rooney. Credit:Reuters

Rooney, a keen Leeds Rhinos fan, regularly takes to Twitter to talk about the game and once described it as ''far better than the Superbowl''.

In his foreword to the autobiography of former Sydney Roosters prop Adrian Morley, United legend Ryan Giggs revealed that "quite a few of the United boys are big rugby league fans''. "We normally stop over in a hotel the night before a Saturday game,'' he said. "We usually eat around 7.30pm and then gather around the television to watch the Super League game. Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes all like the game and follow it closely.''