Danny McGuire hails 'perfect' Grand Final performance from Leeds Rhinos
Sunday 8 October 2017 15:43, UK
Danny McGuire believes Leeds produced the "perfect" performance to defeat Castleford in the Super League Grand Final in his final match for the Rhinos.
McGuire brought the curtain down on his 16-year career at Leeds with a man-of-the-match performance at Old Trafford on Saturday.
The 34-year-old, who will join Hull Kingston Rovers on a two-year deal from next season, scored two tries as Brian McDermott's side claimed a comfortable 24-6 win over the Tigers.
"We played perfect Grand Final conditions to be honest with you," said McGuire. "Against Castleford you need to defend well - they're a great team with ball in hand.
"A big focus of ours was to defend well and you've just got to take your opportunities. We probably had five or six opportunities and took most of them.
"It was a really clinical performance from everybody and I thought all the lads from one to seventeen were fantastic."
League Leaders' Shield winners Castleford struggled to live up to their tag as pre-match favourites but McGuire believes Daryl Powell's side will learn a lot from their first Grand Final appearance.
"It is a big stage and it can be nerve-wracking, there is a lot at stake," said McGuire. "The atmosphere is electric and if you're not used to something like that I suppose it can get on top of you a little bit.
"I think Cas will be better for it in the future, having experienced it. We just stuck to our game plan, very disciplined and very committed and that's what you need in a Grand Final."
Saturday's victory at Old Trafford caps a remarkable turnaround for Leeds, who finished down in the Qualifiers in 2016.
"It is a massive achievement and probably something that won't sink in until things quieten down," said McGuire.
"From where we were - we had some low points last season. We've had some low points this year too - we got a couple of hammerings by Castleford and had to pick ourselves up off the canvas and fight back.
"That's the mark of a great team and great players when you keep picking yourselves up and going again."
