Who says Melburnians don't know the value of rugby league?

Over the weekend a large group of youths set their sights on the city's major Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) showpiece: the League of Giants, 14 huge statues representing each of the competing nations.

Standing at around three metres tall and dressed in full kit, the illuminated figures have been set up at Queensberry Square, right in the centre of the popular Southbank precinct.

On Saturday night a security officer keeping watch over the site was confronted by around 15 drunken young men.

View photos The showpiece before the attack. Pic: Supplied More

The group tore the shorts off all 14 statues and also the jersey from the USA figure, which was also trashed and punctured in numerous places.

In trying to prevent the attack the security guard was also allegedly assaulted and suffered minor injuries.

7th Tackle has been told that the rampage only ceased when police intervened.

View photos The USA statue was left in the worst state. Pic: Supplied More

CCTV footage is currently being reviewed.

The damage caused a major headache for RLWC organisers, who needed to replace the giant shorts and USA jersey in time for last night's photo opportunity with the Kangaroos and England squads.

They got the job done, but not without a large degree of stress.