Much of the talk after St Helens’ unprecedented fourth consecutive Super League title was if they are the greatest team in the history of the competition.
Of course the conversation is based more around dynasties than individual seasons, with Bradford Bulls and Leeds Rhinos’ teams of the noughties and 2010s also in the conversation.
However, when questioned which was the better after Saints’ 24-12 victory over Leeds at Old Trafford on Saturday, former Rhinos great Danny McGuire admitted St Helens’ current crop are probably leading the way.
“It would be really hard to argue against Saints being the best ever,” said McGuire. “Their commitment, their desire and their ability to just keep going.
“They manage to outwork every team they play against. They just keep turning up for each other and you have got to tip your hat to them and applaud the effort and the achievement.”
Now part of the Hull KR coaching staff, having spent the end of this season as interim head coach, it’s clear the Rhinos still have McGuire’s heart.
When speaking about what lies ahead for his former club, the eight-time Grand Final winner was upbeat about the future under Rohan Smith.
“You have got to give Leeds some credit,” he said. “The way that they have come back in at the end of the season, they should hold their heads up really high.
“There is no getting away from the fact that Leeds were underachieving at the midpoint of the season.
“You have got to give the plaudits to Rohan Smith. I think Jamie Jones-Buchanan really steadied the ship when he got in there too.
“Rohan just seems so calm, he has instilled a lot confidence in the team and they work really hard for each other, so they won’t go far wrong going forward.”
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