Leeds Rhinos vs Saint Helens 2011 Grand Final (2nd Half Highlights) Part 2

Saturday 8th October saw what was, in more ways than one, a record breaking Superleague Grand Final between Leeds Rhinos and Saint Helens. These two teams are no strangers when it comes to playing each other at the Old Trafford venue. They have in fact met in the final 4 out of the last 5 seasons (this included) with Leeds winning all previous encounters in 2007, 2008, and 2009. They only team in superleague history to win the trophy 3 times in a row.

For Saint Helens however, this was their 6 appearance in a row at the Old Trafford venue, with them last lifting the trophy in 2006. Since then, Saints have just not been quite good enough when on the, 'big stage' losing to Leeds 3 times in a row and losing to Wigan Warriors in 2010.

This year was set to be different, Leeds and Saints hadn't finished first and second after the weekly rounds, as in previous years. Saints finishing 3rd, and Leeds (breaking yet another record by being the first team to make it to the final from) 5th. Leeds had been writen off earlier in the year losing games they should've easily won. Some fans were calling for the head of coach, Brian McDermott saying he was no good for such a top level team and it was down to his failings as a coach that the losses were mounting up. 2011 was, in fact the worst year for the Rhinos, they lost a total of 11 games that season. From round 16 however, things started to change for Leeds, Jamie Peacock and Danny McGuire (both long term injuries) returned to the squad. Rob Burrow, the 'scampering' scrum half was playing off the bench (a brave decision by McDermott) while Danny Burderus took control as hooker.

By the time the Grand Final came around the bookies, rugby league commentators, journalists, etc. couldn't split the teams and they were both pretty much 50/50 although, some leaned slightly towards Saints with them losing the previous occasions. Saint themselves believed this was their year while Leeds had something to prove to all those who lost faith and doubted their ability. They had already made a major final, the Challenge Cup, although they narrowly missed out to Wigan.

So, how did the Grand Final go down? Take a look....

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Rugby League
• Superleague
• Grand Final
• 2011
• Leeds Rhinos
• Saint Helens
• Sport

[shabtash]

saints just haven't had that 'je ne se qua' on the big stage in the last 5 seasons. That intangible force that makes you a winner on the big stage.

On the flip side they keep coming up against a leeds team that has it in abundance.