Leeds captain Kevin Sinfield is hoping to finish his illustrious career with the club on a high when they face Wigan Warriors in Saturday’s Super League Grand Final.
Sinfield has won the trophy six times with the Rhinos and is keen to add another to his tally before he makes the switch to rugby union with sister club Yorkshire Carnegie.
The fixture at Old Trafford will be a repeat of the first Grand Final, although Sinfield will be determined to ensure Rhinos do not end on the losing side as they did in 1998.
"It feels great to be back, it's been three years since the last time Leeds were in the final," he told Sky Sports News HQ.
"It's a special place and has been for the Rhinos, so let's hope Saturday can be just as special.
"I think it's the game everyone wants to see, first versus second. They pushed us all the way for the League Leaders' Shield and for us to snatch it only on points difference shows what a great side they are.
"Having seen the performance against Huddersfield the other night, and the way they have been playing with the ball recently, they are a huge threat.
"They have beaten us twice already this year. It's a huge challenge for us but one we look forward to on Saturday and hopefully we can come out the right side of it."
Brian McDermott's side came through a typically bruising match to defeat St Helens 20-13 in Friday's Super League semi-final but Sinfield feels they will have recovered in time for the Grand Final.
"It's a huge challenge for us but one we look forward to on Saturday and hopefully we can come out the right side of it."
Kevin Sinfield
"We've had a decent turnaround, it will be eight days until we play again on Saturday," he said. "Our medical team and conditioning staff know what they are dealing with, we are 34 games into the season and they'll make sure, come Saturday night, we are at peak performance.
"Mentally we are in pretty good shape at the moment but physically as well, and we look forward to a huge game."
As well as Sinfield, props Jamie Peacock and Kylie Leulauai will play their final game for the club at Old Trafford, with Peacock taking up a management role with Hull KR, while Leuluai is retiring.
But Sinfield insists they will all be focused on securing the Grand Final trophy for the Rhinos for the first time since 2012, rather than getting caught up in the emotion of their own individual circumstances.
"I was pretty nervous last week and I will be going into this one but as soon as you come on the field for the warm-up, you forget about peripheral matters," he said.
"You have to have a bit of emotion to play in these games but I think our focus, for the three of us in particular, will be on trying to secure that trophy and bring it back to Headingley."
Watch the Grand Final between Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors on Saturday. Coverage begins on Sky Sports 1 HD at 5pm.
