Stand-in Leeds full-back Lee Smith kept his word to injured team-mate Brent Webb with a brilliant performance against St Helens.
Stand-in Leeds full-back produces man-of-the match display
Grand Final hero Lee Smith kept his word to stricken team-mate Brent Webb with a man-of-the-match display as Leeds Rhinos upset to odds against St Helens for the second year in a row.
Smith switched from wing to full-back to cover for New Zealander Webb, who missed the showpiece due to a back injury.
The Rhinos became only the second team, after Saints, to successfully defend their engage Super League crown - Smith producing a faultless defensive display in the shock 24-16 victory.
"I feel for Webby to miss a big game like that." said Smith.
"I said I would do him proud and I've done him proud. He's sat at home and probably cried his eyes out.
"I don't mind playing on the wing when you've got someone like Webby, who is one of the best full-backs in the world if not the best, but stepping in at full back doesn't faze me. I was pretty confident going in that position."
Superman
Webb was in so much pain that he could not travel to Manchester but he was still included in the post-match celebrations.
Coach Brian McClennan explained: "There was a special moment in the dressing room after the game. We phoned Webby and the guys sang 'Brent Webb is Superman' down the phone to him.
"We love the guy and we are really upset for him that he wasn't here. But the best way we could put a smile on his face was by winning this special trophy."
Smith, who scored a try in the Grand Final for the second successive year, was awarded the Harry Sunderland trophy for man-of-the-match, joining such illustrious company as Jason Robinson, Kris Radlinski and Andy Farrell.
Amazing
"To be among them is amazing and it probably won't sink in until I'm sat at home on Wednesday or Thursday with my family," he added.
"It was more of a team effort. All the boys dug deep, I thought we deserved it."
Meanwhile, Smith now faces an anxious 48-hour wait to see if his Old Trafford heroics will be enough to earn him a call-up into England's World Cup squad.
England coach Tony Smith will name his final 24-man squad on Tuesday and is sure to take into account his namesake's versatility when considering back up to Paul Wellens at full-back.
