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Leeds secure treble after defeating Wigan

Roar Guru
11th October, 2015
8

The Leeds Rhinos have been successful in winning the 2015 Super League after defeating the Wigan Warriors 22-20 at Old Trafford in front of a grand final record 73,512 fans.

It comes after they won the League Leader’s Shield just two weeks ago and defeated Hull KR earlier in the season for the Challenge Cup. They become the first team since St Helens in 2006 to have done so with the achievement having only occurred on eight occasions since 1895.

The match was tightly contested right from the kick-off when Ben Thaler blew his whistle to see Wigan get the last game of rugby league’s 120th season underway.

Joe Burgess was the first to score in his final Wigan appearance after Liam Farrell broke from inside his own half and passed off to Burgess in support, running down the left touchline to take the lead.

Former Cowboys fullback Matthew Bowen, also in his last game for Wigan, converted the try.

Former Salford and Wales forward Paul Highton summed it up nicely on BBC Radio Manchester:

“This is what we’ve come to know about Wigan. They’ve soaked up all that pressure, it was Leeds, Leeds, Leeds. A little bit of a kick-through, a pick up by Farrell, and they’ve gone the full length of the pitch.”

Just two minutes after Wigan scored, Matty Smith dropped the ball. It proved costly as Kevin Sinfield, in his last game, kicked through to halves partner Danny McGuire who dove onto the ball to score. Kevin Sinfield converted to level the scores.

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Ex-Bradford coach Francis Cummins had his say on the try on BBC Radio Leeds: “Leeds have had the pressure, they’ve tested both sides of the Wigan defence, and sometimes the last play can be the best one.”

While the scores were left at a stalemate for the next 20 minutes, former Salford coach Iestyn Harris didn’t mind when he spoke on BBC Radio 5: “Tremendous rugby league there. Leeds have scrambled, Adam Cuthbertson did really well, and Brad Singleton’s defence at the moment is absolutely fantastic.”

The deadlock was broken after Leeds were awarded a penalty five metres out. Rather than electing to take the shot at penalty goal, Sinfield chose to run the ball, his decision paying off as Joel Moon went over and put the Rhinos in the lead for the first time.

Highton was happy, commenting on the try by saying: “That’s thrown a completely different light on this game now. You look at the Wigan players, they’re absolutely incensed by that decision.”

The decision caused controversy due to Danny McGuire’s ball-handling skills. The video referee deliberated for two minutes, and Moon’s try was awarded.

It wasn’t the last action of the first half as the Rhinos raced in front by 10 points with McGuire scoring again. He cruised over after Kallum Watkins made an excellent break down the right wing, and Kevin Sinfield converted.

England head coach Steve McNamara also weighed his thoughts stating his admiration for the Rhinos on BBC Radio 5: “Absolutely world class play by the Leeds Rhinos side, starting with Danny McGuire and finishing with Danny McGuire.

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Iestyn Harris summed up the first half pretty nicely: “Grand finals are about taking opportunities. I can only count on one hand the chances that Leeds have had, but when they’ve had those chances they have been immaculate with their execution.”

Six minutes into the second phase, George Williams offloaded to captain Sean O’Loughlin who put a high kick onto the right wing where Dominic Manfredi jumped high above Ryan Hall and broke the deadlock. Matthew Bowen converted.

Wigan were back in the game after closing the gap to just four points. Francis Cummins also thought so: “It’s game on again. Leeds are going to have put out the fire that has ignited in Wigan, because they’ve started this second half very well.”

But they struggled to put out the fire, with Bowen taking us back to his golden days at the Cowboys after beating out several Leeds defenders to touch down under the posts and send the Warriors faithful into rapture. Bowen then converted the try to put Wigan four points clear.

“That was just individual brilliance. That was all Matty Bowen, there was nobody else involved in that, he was absolutely lightning on his feet,” Paul Highton said.

But just two minutes later the Rhinos stole the lead with Josh Walters putting Leeds back in front and Sinfield converting.

The scores remained the same for the remainder of the game, with McGuire expressing his joy after the match.

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“I’m shattered. It was a tough game and Wigan put us under pressure, but we showed the desire to hang in there. It’s great for JP, Kylie and Kev – three of my best mates. They deserve to go out like this.”

Jamie Peacock also had his say in his final game.

“I’m lost for words. They’re a special group to play with. I feel privileged to bow out in this game with a win, with a special group and a special club. I love the game and it’s given me so many amazing moments. To think my final game would be the best moment – what can you say?”

The Rhinos made history, taking themselves to their tenth championship, becoming just the third club to do so.

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