Rob Burrow’s epic try, Jack Welsby and Chris Joynt – The top 10 Super League Grand Final moments

Saturday’s showdown between Hull KR and Wigan Warriors will be the 28th Super League Grand Final.

Over the years the event has produced countless memorable moments, including spectacular tries, epic fightbacks, controversy and late drama. Every rugby league fan will have their own view, but here’s our pick of the top-10 greatest Grand Final moments.

10: Jason Robinson off to a flier

The first Grand Final, in 1998, turned on a moment of magic from Wigan Warriors winger Jason Robinson who stepped past three Leeds Rhinos defenders for a stunning converted try which turned a 4-0 deficit into a 6-4 lead. Wigan went on to win 10-4.

9: Not their year as Warrington implode

It’s now 70 years since Warrington were last crowned champions. In the 2013 Grand Final they scored three tries in six first half minutes to go 16-2 ahead and the long wait appeared to be coming to an end, only for Wigan Warriors to reply with 28 unanswered points in a 30-16 victory.

8: Leon Pryce no try

Bradford Bulls winger Leon Pryce thought he had scored on his 18th birthday when he raced over from Michael Withers’ pass in the 43rd minute of the 1999 Grand Final against St Helens. Referee Stuart Cummings put the square in the air, video official David Campbell ruled Withers had knocked on before getting the pass away and Saints went on to win 8-6.

7: Danny McGuire ends Rhinos’ long wait.

Leeds went into the 2004 Grand Final aiming to be crowned champions for the first time in 32 years. They led Bradford Bulls by two points with five minutes remaining when youngster Danny McGuire weaved over to score and Kevin Sinfield’s conversion sealed a 16-8 success.

6: Rob Burrow sends Francis Meli into row D

The 2011 decider, when Leeds Rhinos defeated St Helens 32-16 to win the title from fifth on the table, will always be remembered for Rob Burrow’s first half try. But the dummy to fool Saints’ Francis Meli in the build up to Ryan Hall’s crucial 70th minute touchdown was equally spectacular.

5: Sean Long drops Bulls.

Scrum-half Sean Long’s 80th minute drop goal edged Saints 19-18 ahead of Bradford Bulls at Old Trafford in 2002 and secured their fourth title in seven Super League seasons. It was a brilliant strike, at an angle from 20 metres out, but the drama wasn’t over…

4: Chris Joynt voluntary tackle

…Saints took possession from a short kick-off after Long’s one-pointer. With five seconds left, ball carrier Chris Joynt dived at the feet of Paul Deacon and Lee Gilmour, Bulls’ players screamed for the voluntary tackle to be penalised – giving Deacon a kick from 40 metres out to snatch the trophy – but referee Russell Smith said no and the hooter sounded, causing fury among Bradford’s players, staff and fans.

3: Ben Flower sees red.

Ninety seconds into the 2014 showpiece, Wigan Warriors  prop Ben Flower became the first player sent off in a Grand Final after twice punching St Helens’ Lance Hohaia, the second time as he lay helpless on the turf. Twelve-man Wigan were beaten 14-6 and Flower was later suspended for six months.

2: Jack Welsby wins it.

The 2020 Grand Final, played behind closed doors at Hull, was heading for extra-time when St Helens’ Tommy Makinson hit a post with a drop goal attempt in the last few seconds; the ball bounced in-goal, Wigan Warriors full-back Bevan French hesitated and Jack Welsby pounced to grab the most dramatic of winners. The game finished 8-4 and Saints secured their second successive title.

1: Rob Burrow’s epic try

Leeds Rhinos’ magnificent seven Rob Burrow was a unanimous winner of the Harry Sunderland man of the match trophy when St Helens were beaten at Old Trafford in 2011. His stunning solo try midway through the first half – when he ducked, weaved and raced over from near halfway – is one of rugby league’s most famous images.