Sky pundit suggests Leeds now ‘technically better’ than back-to-back champions

Sport is at its best when its binary.

Joy and despair, celebration and disappointment.

That was the case last night as Leeds Rhinos stunned St Helens with a Blake Austin drop goal breaking St Helens hearts on their homecoming after being crowned World Champions.

Speaking after the game former Leeds man Barrie McDermott said on Sky Sports that it could kick start their season as he joked that the win could “technically” make them better than NRL Champions Penrith Panthers who Saints beat in the World Club Challenge.

He said:

“This is why you start rugby league for nights like this. Everyone counts you out, only a small gathering of fans, but for everyone that follows this club they know the season has officially started.

“What a game, does that make them technically better than the Penrith Panthers?”

This was in stark contrast to the way ex-St Helens man Jon Wilkin saw the game.

He described it as “snatched from St Helens” as he focused on the decision to not penalise Sam Walters and send Konrad Hurrell.

He said: “Snatched from St Helens.

“Big moments, a huge game, massive moments, none bigger than Blake Austin’s drop goal.

“Let’s not get away from the big talking point which was Sam Walters and Konrad Hurrell, those two decisions.”