Smith - Send-off was 'unreal'

Awesome: Sinfield congratulates Smith

I just believed in the team and knew they would fight for one another

Brian McClennan
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• St Helens

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Lee Smith was left to reflect on an "unreal" farewell to rugby league after scoring two tries as Leeds claimed a third straight Grand Final win against St Helens.

The Rhinos triumphed 18-10 at Old Trafford, with Smith bowing out in style ahead of a switch in codes to play for Wasps.

"It is unreal. It's my last game, and I didn't want it to end in anything other than this," the centre told Sky Sports 1.

His second try eight minutes from time gave Leeds the breathing space they needed, but Smith nevertheless admitted: "I'll settle for a win - it doesn't matter who scores the tries.

"This is a great set of lads - I've met some awesome people at this club.

"I've made my decision. It's something I had to do. I couldn't have wished for a better time at Leeds."

Meanwhile, Leeds captain Kevin Sinfield admitted that the gravity of an unprecedented hat-trick of Super League titles was already hitting home.

"What a game. I'm a bit emotional now," he said.

"They (Saints) are a champion side. There are a lot of leaders (at Leeds) in it when the chips are down - and they're a pleasure to play with."

Right values

Sinfield, who was also named man of the match, said the Rhinos' success was down to a team ethic which values success on the field above all else.

"We are a salary-cap sport. For the management to keep this team together - all right we may lose the odd one each year - but it is an unselfish team in

many ways," he said.

"Every one of those players could go to another club and earn more money but they choose to sacrifice a few extra quid in their pocket to play for this great club.

"Money can't buy the memories from tonight and what we have had in the last few years. We are a team of billionaires in that respect."

In contrast to Smith, however, Sean Long's career at St Helens ended on a losing note.

The veteran scrum-half, who now heads to join Super League rivals Hull FC, was nevertheless magnanimous in defeat.

"We built a lot of pressure in the first half. But full credit to Leeds - their defence was superb," he said.

"We didn't take our chances sometimes tonight - and they did. Sometimes it's a bit gutting. But I thought they deserved their win, and life goes on."

Leeds coach Brian McClennan had much more to smile about.

"I am elated. It is fantastic," he said.

His side had to regroup after an early injury to Ali Lauitiiti but McClennan said he was always confident his team's hard work and determination would prevail.

"I just believed in the team and knew they would fight for one another," he said.

"St Helens were really good tonight. But our tenacity got us through. What a special bunch. It could not happen to a better bunch of players."

Poised

Smith raced on to Danny McGuire's grubber to score his second when the match was poised at 11-10.

The try was given after the video referee was asked to adjudicate over a possible offside - McClennan claiming he did not see the replays of the try on the big screen.

However, opposite number Mick Potter chose not to make much of the incident.

He said: "I try not to look at the screen. I just asked the bench how it was looking and they thought it was offside.

"So, I thought it was going to be no try - I just take the feedback from them. I was focused on what we were going to do next.

"I will probably look at it some stage but that is the way it goes.

"I thought for most of the game we had a big chance and put some pressure on the other team.

"I thought we looked pretty good at half-time, we were in with a shout.

"But we came up with a couple of errors and they had a couple of good measured kicks.

"If we were playing cricket we would have scored a lot of fours but they scored some threes and that's what you need sometimes.

"They had more skill in that department and came up with the right plays."