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Leeds Rhinos v St Helens: Grand final 2009 verdict
THE Yorkshire Post lined up six experts to give their verdict on the Grand Final between Leeds and Saints.
Brett Hodgson, Huddersfield's man of steel
I think Leeds have got to be favourites.
I've played against both of them this season with the Giants so I know what each is capable of.
Obviously, Leeds and Saints have some amazing talent and I believe we are set for a final of real, true quality.
But, for me, if I was a betting man, I'd go for the Rhinos by up to six points.
It is going to be very close and it could be just one lucky bounce of the ball or something very special that wins it.
Full-back Brent Webb has always got that spark while Rob Burrow is a great player and Kevin Sinfield has got some quality.
These are the sorts you'd expect to be ready to do that for Leeds, so watch out for them.
But Saints aren't short of match-winners with Leon Pryce, Sean Long and the young guy Kyle Eastmond. He's impressed me this year.
The forwards are well-matched and there will be some fascinating battles up front with the likes of Jamie Peacock and James Graham going at it.
I just feel, as champions, and on what they've done so far, including the way they played against Catalans with that amazing spell before the break, Leeds will get home.
The fans should get a classic regardless. It is just a pity I'm not going to get to see it.
I'll be heading home to Australia via Disneyland in
Paris. We're taking the kids there and I'm not sure if I'll get to see any television.
All I'll end up watching I guess is Sponge Bob Square Pants.
Paul Sculthorpe, Former Saints and GB captain
THERE IS a lot to contemplate ahead of this season's Grand Final at Old Trafford.
This year is a reverse of the last two. Saints have always been league leaders and have always gone in as favourites.
This time, Leeds finished top and now they go to Old Trafford as the bookies' tip.
That means there is probably a little less pressure on Saints but I don't think that will make any difference to the way the two sides approach the match.
Leeds control things that well in the middle, though, and their defence there is awesome.
You have to tip your hat to them while Danny McGuire, Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield are all great strikers of the ball with their kicking game.
We know what they can create when they get space, too. They thrive when the play becomes looser and they get broken-field chances
If you look at Saints, they've always been renowned for scoring tries but lately they haven't been getting as many points as usual.
What people forget, though, is they have not been conceding many either.
It is their defence over the last two weeks which has got them into the Grand Final, not their attack.
If you can out-defend Saints, you are going to win.
It's whether Leeds will do that or not that could be the key to this game.
I think they might just make it three in a row – I'm going to stick my neck out and say Leeds might win it – but this final really is too close to call.
Justin Morgan, Hull Kingston Rovers coach
I am going for St Helens to win, solely because they have had to do it tough to get to Old Trafford.
They have had some real arm wrestles over the last few weeks and that will serve as real good preparation.
Leeds haven't been put to the sword by anyone during the play-offs and that includes our game against them.
For 40 minutes, we challenged but then the Rhinos ran away with it. Against Catalans last week, they put them to bed at the end of the first half.
The roles are also reversed
this year with Leeds having finished top of Super League and being installed as favourites which might give Saints that little edge.
No doubt, this game will get fiery again and I think that's great.
It shows the passion of the two teams and that both are desperate to do it.
I don't see there being any issue with that. I'm sure there will be some stuff flying around but I don't believe the game will get silly.
We have the two best teams playing in the Grand Final and that's not a bad thing to start with.
The weather could play a part tomorrow night. Getting to this stage of the year, there's a bit of dew on the grass, the pitch can be slippery which is not overly-conducive to playing great, open rugby league.
That is something which Leeds like to do. Although I'm not saying the Rhinos can't do it in such conditions the weather just might suit St Helens better.
Mike Stephenson, Sky Sports commentator
I hate sitting on the fence but this is one time I will not be putting my hand in my pocket and offering any of my money to the bookies!
For anyone who loves rugby league, we have some of the best ingredients possible for this weekend's seasonal finale.
We have two of the finest head chefs on display in Mick Potter and Brian McClennan.
And they will be looking to add that little extra spice which will determine whether their players produce transport cafe food or cuisine from a five-star Michelin restaurant.
Where Saints might have an edge is at hooker.
The combination of Keiron Cunningham and James Roby regularly interchanging has worked so well for them over the course of this season.
Because of Danny Buderus' injury the Rhinos won't have that option, although Matt Diskin has enjoyed a marvellous campaign and won't let anyone down on the big night.
The kicking game is always important and in the 2004 Grand Final it was used as a weapon by Leeds to nullify the threat of Bradford's Lesley Vainikolo.
Saints have several options with Leon Pryce, Jon Wilkin and Sean Long all capable of controlling this area of the game.
I imagine Wilkin will be used for long kicks and Long for pinpoint, accurate kicks.
For Leeds Kevin Sinfield will again be the man to take control of both.
When the Leeds captain is on form with the boot then the Leeds Rhinos take some stopping. Roll on Saturday night.
Robbie Paul, Grand Final triple winner
Leeds are the team that are hot at the moment.
Everything is coming together for them now and comparing last weekend's semis, they had that spell where they simply blew Catalans off the park.
They took their foot off the pedal then while Saints had to play out a really close, tough match all the way until the end.
Ultimately, even in the last minute, they had to hang on against Wigan.
When push comes to shove, going into the Grand FInal, Leeds are the ones.
You'd expect Saints to be extremely emotionally charged for tomorrow night for a number of reasons like Sean Long
leaving and the fact that core group of players are probably playing together for the last time.
There's going to be a new generation coming through at Saints and there are a few
people around the place moving on next year so they'll be
using that as a tool in their warm-up.
Jamie Peacock and James Graham are two of the best front-rowers in the world but I think they will cancel each other out.
All night long they will just keep coming and coming. Their leadership is immense as they set the platform for their half-backs.
But they will cancel each other and so it will be down to who is the best pair of halves, who
will make the best passes and golden play and, in Danny McGuire, Leeds have someone who is in scintillating form and at the top of his game.
Terry Matterson, Castleford Tigers coach
I'm just leaning towards victory for Leeds but, if I'm honest, I can't tell you why.
At a push, I think it could be down to the goal-kicking as to who finally triumphs at Old Trafford.
The teams are so close. Very close.
In the past, the team that got beaten in their semi had to play another game while the others had a week off.
I'm not saying if that has been a reason or not for results in recent seasons but it has changed this year and they both come in together on equal terms.
I'm sure both teams are really healthy but Leeds are probably playing a bit better footy.
It all points to a cracking game. I lean towards Leeds because they have had the best of the big games against Saints over the last couple of years but also as I do feel the goal-kicking will be a factor and they can edge it in that department.
Leeds' goal-kicking is probably more accomplished than St Helens'.
There are plenty of factors to think about like the weather which has played a part in the past.
It looks like it will be good tomorrow night, which probably favours St Helens while Leeds are the best wet-weather side in the country.
I find it really hard to separate these two sides, though and it is going to be a fascinating match to watch.
But I feel Leeds captain Kevin Sinfield and his place-kicking could be a deciding factor in the Grand Final.
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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