Belief key to success - coach

McClennan applauds players after thrilling win

Last updated: 4th October 2008

brian mcclennan

McClennan: War of attrition

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Leeds coach Brian McClennan said the quality of St Helens made victory in the engage Super League Grand Final all the sweeter.

McClennan masterminded a shock 24-16 success over the Saints for a second successive year at Old Trafford and claimed it was his side's self-belief that got them through.

"We knew we were playing against a very classy side and that's why we're so overjoyed," he said."We had belief in ourselves and we are very happy.

"This is a result of the whole year, not just one game. We had a lot of confidence in Lee (Smith) and he was very solid back there tonight.

"In games like this it just gets down to a war of attrition. I'd just like to thank the Leeds Rhinos supporters for getting us through - they're outstanding."

Smith added: "It's brilliant, I'm lost for words. The boys were brilliant tonight, we were outstanding.

"We were underdogs but on these big games it's all about having a high tempo."

Double try-scorer Danny McGuire praised his team-mates' self-belief after they came through what he described as their toughest test yet.

"We had to graft hard, it was one of the toughest games I've ever played in, we dug in deep and the character we showed tonight was unreal," he said.

"We all believed we could do it and we're very proud of ourselves. It just gets better every year, I'm lucky I've been able to play in four of these now and it just gets better every year."