IN APPALLING conditions, Leeds Rhinos produced a performance of superb athleticism, skill and commitment to beat favourites St Helens 24-16 and retain their title of Super League champions at Old Trafford last night. The result was a repeat of last year’s Grand Final, which saw Leeds triumph 33-6.

Saints went into the match having won 23 consecutive games, and after James Graham, this year’s Man of Steel, finished a brilliant 50-yard move to open the scoring after six minutes, it looked as though that run was certain to continue. But the Rhinos, who were hammered 38-10 by Saints at Knowsley Road in the playoffs, refused to be beaten. With the constant rain and swirling wind making handling difficult, they retained possession better than their opponents and hit back with tries by Lee Smith and Ryan Hall to lead at half-time.

Saints coach Daniel Anderson, in his last match in charge before returning to Australia, laid into his players during the break, prompting a revival which saw Matt Gidley score in the corner and Sean Long level the scores with a touchline conversion. Leeds, though, were not to be denied. First captain Kevin Sinfield set up a try for Danny McGuire with a short-range kick, then McGuire made the game safe with a sidestepping run to the line. Several Leeds players who were previously considered to have been on the fringe of the England squad, including man of the match Smith, and Jamie Jones-Buchanan, who set up a try minutes after being bandaged for a deep cut to the head, have almost certainly confirmed their places on the plane for Australia, where the World Cup starts in three weeks’ time.

“We’re very proud because Saints are an outstanding team and we knew we’d have to roll our sleeves up,” said Leeds coach Brian McLennan. “We had a lot of confidence that if we played well we’d push them hard, and in the second quarter in particular we were excellent.

“We knew we were a good team, and that one bad performance at Saints didn’t make us a bad one. To win a World Club Challenge back at the beginning of the season, and then still manage to peak again at the end of season, is a tribute to everyone at the club, players and staff. So many people have worked incredibly hard. We’re overjoyed because we beat a class side. I’m in awe of my players’ toughness, and it bodes well for England’s international prospects. Australia are beatable.”

Kevin Sinfield said the defeat at Knowsley Road had been an important factor in the Rhinos’ refusal to be beaten again. “There were 17 warriors out there, and though being the first Leeds captain to win back-to-back titles is a nice thought, it’s one for the future, this is all about now.

“Lee Smith was fantastic. We lost our full-back, Brent Webb, beforehand, and that was a big blow, but Smithy did an outstanding job. It’s not for me to say whether he should be in the England squad but he was impressive tonight.”

Anderson refused to blame the weather, though it appeared to be an equalising factor. “That wouldn’t be fair on the game or the opposition,” he insisted. “They broke tackles better than we did, won the ruck and so for the most part were kicking off the front foot. In the end they probably tackled one-on-one better than we did. They nullified Leon Pryce extremely effectively.” Off his half-time blast, Anderson said he didn’t think his team “had been honest with their capabilities”.

“We were off the pace in the first half, we missed a couple of tackles, and though we struck back in the second half, Leeds responded quickly every time,” he said.