Grand Final 2022 preview

2022 Betfred Super League Grand Final tickets

St Helens versus Leeds Rhinos. A Grand Final that needs no introduction. From the Rhinos securing the first ever three-peat all against the Saints, to Rob Burrow’s breath-taking solo try the last time these two sides met at Old Trafford, it’s fitting they meet once again as Super League celebrates its 25^th Grand Final.

For Saints, history awaits. The chance to win their fourth Super League title in a row and go one better than the Rhinos. An opportunity beckons to further cement their reputation as Super League’s best and do something no other side has done. Just one thing stands in their way – Rohan’s Rhinos.

It’s an inherently different Leeds side to the one that last walked out at Old Trafford in 2017. The rebuild at the Rhinos has taken time - but under Rohan Smith, the tide has seemingly turned. From relegation contenders during the first half of the season, Leeds are now just 80 minutes away from Grand Final glory.

It would be a remarkable turnaround for Leeds to win it from fifth. But if any side can do it, it’s the Rhinos. They are the only team to win the Grand Final from fifth position – not once, but twice. And the last time they won it from there, it was against St Helens.

Greatness awaits…

The Grand Final, where legends are made. ???

Don’t miss out on the unforgettable moments 👉 🎟 https://t.co/sBNoeCncWE pic.twitter.com/KJlt8CdvOR
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 21, 2022

Despite the Rhinos being Grand Final stalwarts over the past 24 years, it will be a new experience for Rohan Smith. From coaching the Norths Devils in Queensland Australia, to moving to the North of England to join the Rhinos, it’s been a whirlwind year for the Leeds boss.

“Five months ago, I was in Ipswich [Australia] and there was 300 people there at my last game at the Norths Devils and today we’re here,?? Smith reflected.

“It’s a long way from that sort of stuff but as far as my own self goes - I love coaching, whatever team I’m lucky enough to be involved in, so nothing much changes. Every day of Norths Devils life was about trying to do the best I could for the players I was working with - and nothing much has changed now. Just a bit more public spotlight, I guess.??

And whilst Smith’s career in Super League is just getting started, Saturday spells the end of the road for Saints head coach Kristian Woolf. Woolf will head back to Australia at the end of the year, signalling the end of a hugely successful tenure at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

But he still has one more job in hand. A win on Saturday would not only guide St Helens to a fourth straight title, it would also make Woolf the first coach in Super League history to win three Grand Finals in a row.

There’s plenty of sentiment surrounding the 2022 Grand Final for both St Helens and Kristian Woolf, but the Saints boss refuses to let those narratives get in the way of the task at hand.

“I’m very focused on the game,?? Woolf insisted.

“I haven’t for a minute thought about what happens after and everything else. It’s a big week, Grand Final week. Everyone knows the occasion; everyone knows the excitement around the occasion as well and that’s been our focus. It’s been a busy week as well so there hasn’t been much time for reflection or anything at this stage, but we’ll get to that in a few days I suppose.??

😇 @Saints1890 - "They've been pretty untouchable."

?? @leedsrhinos - "They seem to be playing for each other."

Eight-time winner @DannyMcguire6 gives his lowdown on Saturday's #GrandFinal ???@OutOfYourRL, available to download & watch NOW 👇 #SuperLeague
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 22, 2022

Saints captain James Roby knows all about the prospect of facing the Rhinos at Old Trafford. He was part of the St Helens team that lost three in a row against Leeds from 2007 to 2009, as well as tasting defeating when they last met in 2011.

There’s added motivation for Roby to right the wrongs from all those years ago and go one better than a Leeds side that had the upper hand over the Saints at the Theatre of Dreams.

“We’re aware three has been done before and we’ve done a great job in getting three, but we’re 80 minutes from potentially doing four which has never been done,?? Roby explained.

“We are very focused on the job at hand and focused on getting our own job in order but in the back of our mind we do know what’s at stake and how special that would be.

“It’s very hard to compare teams from different eras, but I think there’s no arguments if we were to go on and win it. It’s a fact that fours never been done before and if that was the only team to do it, I think you definitely have to consider them [as one of the best].

Whilst Roby is a Grand Final veteran, Leeds skipper Kruise Leeming is set to experience it for the first time. And Leeming has the chance to follow in the footsteps of Rhinos legends that have lifted the Super League trophy and achieved rugby league immortality.

#GF25 Media Day ✅ pic.twitter.com/nD34oiAqUc
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 22, 2022

“It would be unbelievable to etch your name in history,?? Leeming admitted.

“It’s something that I’ve not really thought about too much, it’s just about getting the job done. It’s been a massive team effort, it’s about everyone that’s been involved, and it doesn’t really make a difference to me who lifts that trophy.

“Obviously it’s nice to do it, but I think the effort that’s gone in and how we’ve stuck together as a team through them tough times is what’s most important - and getting the win.??

Super League celebrates its 25th Grand Final in 2022 and you can be there to witness history. Bring the noise and be the difference at the Theatre of Dreams by purchasing your tickets here.