18 of Super League’s 28 Super League titles have gone to either Leeds Rhinos or St Helens and they have contested five Grand Finals. In fact, in the 26 Super League Grand Finals to date Leeds or Saints have been present in 20 of them. Only in 2001, 2003, 2013, 2016, 2018 and last year did the two teams fail to reach Old Trafford. Both will be out to rectify that in 2024.
They had both started the season well with three wins from their opening four games to start the season setting up the game at the newly renamed AMT Headingley Stadium perfectly but adding to the narrative is the fact the clubs will meet again in a week’s time. This will be in the Betfred Challenge Cup next Friday night.
Leeds Rhinos started the better playing the game as a sensational pace early on to take control. Leeds Rhinos star Harry Newman came close to breaking the deadlock but eventually the opening try came for Leeds as a Brodie Croft cut out pass found Luis Roberts in space to power over and score. With Lachie Miller playing some brilliant stuff, Leeds deserved a bigger lead and it came as Rhyse Martin nailed a penalty to make it 8-0.
But the Saints did make it 8-6 before the break showing their champion mentality to claim dominance by the halftime whistle. Waqa Blake was their try scorer after a kick was batted back.
The start of the second half was back and forth until Saints eventually took the lead through Jon Bennison with a delightful dive in the corner. A minute later and Saints had extended their lead to 18-8 thanks to a Moses Mbye try.
That’s how the game would end with Leeds fading and St Helens holding on to claim the win with a strong second half.
Leeds Rhinos star set for ban?
Credit: Imago Images
The two sides are set to do it all over again this Friday night in the Betfred Challenge Cup which marks a do or die clash between the two sides for a place in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals.
This means avoiding bans is absolutely vital for both this Monday as the Match Review Panel have their say on Super League Round Five.
However, one former official has a concern for the Rhinos in terms of the match review panel responding to St Helens fans claiming a missed tackle from Mickael Goudemand was the same as the red card challenge from Mark Percival against Salford Red Devils which incurred a three match ban.
Former Super League official Ian Smith responded to these claims refuting the suggestion the tackles were similar.
He said: “Arms low in a wrapping motion. I don’t know what force there was but I would imagine if Lomax got up and played the ball and didn’t go off for an HIA it suggests low force at worst.”
He added: “There are lots of mitigating factors and maybe the Match Review Panel will charge him.”
