St Helens 16 Leeds Rhinos 32: Sinfield hails coach McDermott after securing historic Grand Final victory

The West Yorkshire club, criticised and lambasted for much of the year, defied the odds to beat St Helens on Saturday in the finest finale of the Super League era.

Having finished fifth, outstanding Rhinos became the first side outside of the top three to lift the title, and did so in breathtaking style battling back from 16-8 down with just 16 minutes to go and aided by a marvellous contribution from thrilling scrum-half Rob Burrow.

But Sinfield, who has led Leeds in all five triumphs, paid particular praise to McDermott, who succeeded Brian McClennan last September and came under immense pressure when the side fell to as low as eighth as recently as July.

“He knew how much I believed in him and stuck by him,” said Sinfield, as Rhinos claimed their fourth title in five years, Wigan’s victory last season their only blip since 2007.

“If we hadn’t got to the Grand Final, if we’d bombed out in the play-offs, I’d still be right behind him.

“What he’s had to put up with is testament to a great, great man.

“He fully deserves it because there have been some tough times, whether he tells you that or not.

“There were some dark days for him but he knows the squad were always right behind him.”

McDermott re-joined Leeds, where he had been an assistant when they won their first title in 2004, after four years as Harlequins head coach.

He has become the first Englishman to manage a Super League-winning side since Brian Noble guided Bradford Bulls in 2005.

Sinfield, who has won titles with Tony Smith and McClennan, added: “We’ve got a great relationship.

“I’ve worked under some great coaches, I’ve got on really well with them, and I am really, really proud to work under Brian.

“To come through such adversity as he has at the start of the year, to where he is now, is great.

“I think he will be at this club for a very, very long time and I hope he is too.”

When raising the trophy at Old Trafford, an impassioned Sinfield defiantly signed off his acceptance speech by dedicating the triumph to all the doubters.

Clearly riled by the criticism the side has endured this season, the England international added later: “People have had a crack at us and to hit a champion side (St Helens) straight on the chin is testament to the calibre of player at the club, Brian Mac, the club, our conditioners.

“I’m really proud. People were calling us ‘Dad’s Army’, but coming with a ‘Dad’s Army’ is a lot of experience. Everybody who has pointed the finger at this group and attacked us have provided us with a little bit extra to say ‘he who laughs last laughs the loudest’.”

Leeds undoubtedly deserve their moment; Saturday’s performance was the culmination of a remarkable run of results which marked them out undeniably as true champions.

Those days when they had suffered humiliating defeats against St Helens, Warrington and, in particular, the 38-18 televised loss against Catalan in July, seemed so distant.

“I can honestly say we didn’t lose belief,” insisted Sinfield, who underlined his own greatness by becoming the first player to captain at five Grand Finals.

“It (Grand Final) did seem a long, long way away but when you look through the squad and see the talent we have, we knew we could challenge anyone.

“After Catalan though – and a few others when we got a hiding – it was difficult.

“This competition is so tough that if you’re not quite right, you will get beaten.

“At times earlier in the season we had no fluency, combinations weren’t working, but thankfully we got here in the end.

“It’s been a complete rollercoaster of a season – there weren’t too many highs if I’m honest, and we copped some real hidings along the way.

“But it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. I’m very, very proud of all the guys.”

McDermott, the former Bradford Bulls and Great Britain prop, looked stunned and elated at the same time by how events unfolded but he has undoubtedly justified his appointment,

“(Chief executive) Gary Hetherington would have been questioned about ‘who’s this British coach you’ve got, he was at Harlequins last year, your team is too old, your halves don’t do this and your props are too old’,” he said.

“But not once has anyone in our club whinged, moaned or blamed referees or looked for answers other than what’s inside and that’s why this feels special now.

“The culture and philosophy we have at this club gets you through dark times.

“Coaching this club is so special, for the humility and integrity the players show.”

However, he showed his own class particularly by having the courage to stick by his controversial decision to use Burrow, one of the club’s most exciting and long-serving players, as a replacement.

That tactic initially came under fierce criticism but Burrow came off the bench to devastating effect on Saturday and won the Harry Sunderland Trophy as man-of-the-match, winning all 37 votes from the media in unprecedented fashion.

His dynamic display also included what will be regarded as the greatest try in Grand Final history.

“The dummy is up there, isn’t it?” said McDermott, after Burrow had sliced open Saints with a blistering, weaving run which will be re-run for years to come.

“You talk about tries on a stage as big as this. There will be some controversial ones, but ones where the jaw drops. I’m not sure there have been too many of them in Grand Finals.”

Burrow, 29, then made another searing break to lay on the crucial second half try for Ryan Hall which completed Leeds’s renaissance.

The player, a product of Rhinos’ Academy, had featured in all four previous Grand Final wins and Sinfield admitted he had to talk to him a few months ago to assuage his upset at losing his regular starting spot.

“As captain I did speak to him about it, and I do believe it was the right decision for the team,” he said. “Look at how well he’s played. If he’d sulked or spat the dummy it could have gone the other way, so credit to him.

“I think he realised that for the good of the team it was better for him to be coming off the bench running at tired defences. Teams just can’t handle him.”

Burrow’s performances during the last few weeks have raised expectations he may yet be in for an international recall having not been selected since the 2008 World Cup.

Steve McNamara announces his squad this morning and Sinfield believes Burrow is in the form of his life: “He was brilliant tonight. “He produced two magic moments.

“Of course it’s been hard for him, but you have to put the team first and he has done that.

“To come off the bench and play like that reflects really well on him.

“He’s a little dynamo and can rip teams apart – he has to be in with a shout for England.”