BWhcSL Grand Final: Halliwell hungry for Grand Final victory

Leeds Rhinos will look to finish their season in style when they return to the Betfred Wheelchair Super League Grand Final on Sunday 20 September, taking on Halifax Panthers at Belle Vue Leisure Centre – live on Sky Sports (KO 5.30pm).

The Rhinos are preparing for their second major final of the campaign, having already met Halifax in July’s Betfred Challenge Cup Final, where the Panthers came out on top to claim the first piece of silverware on offer.

That result has only added extra motivation for Leeds, who head into the Grand Final determined to turn the tables.

The side underlined their credentials with a strong semi-final performance against Wigan Warriors, a result that gave them momentum at the perfect stage of the season. Reflecting on that win, Tom Halliwell OBE said:

“It’s semi-final rugby, so you’ve got two teams that really want it.

“It was end-to-end stuff, you score, we score, in the first half, for the first 20 minutes.

“I think we were too busy worrying about the refereeing decisions and what Wigan were doing. As soon as we got to half time, we were like, right, we just need to control what we can control.

“And as soon as we did that, the points came and we really expressed ourselves and what we can do.

“It was a really good game, a great game of Wheelchair Rugby League.”

For Halliwell, the final also carries personal significance. After spending two years on the sidelines through injury, he has worked his way back to the team this season and is now preparing to play his part on the biggest stage:

“It took me a while to get going again, having that long off, I sort of forgot how to push a chair again, so getting back into it was quite tough.

“I’ve got great people behind me and great team-mates to push me on and get me to that level where I feel like I can perform and I'm back to my best.

“I'm really looking forward to showcasing that at the weekend.”

Although the Challenge Cup Final defeat remains part of the story between the two sides this season, Halliwell believes Leeds are in a different place heading into Sunday’s meeting, with more consistency built across the squad:

“That was so long ago now and so many games have gone since then.

“Back then we hadn't played our strongest team together that much for back-to-back games.

“In the games since, we've had the opportunity to get our strongest team together so we're really chomping at the bit to be able to get out there. and showcase what we've got.

“There's no pressure on us really, the pressure's all on Halifax. They've won the two trophies on offer so far. The pressure's on them to win the treble.

“We've just got to go out there with our underdog mentality and just play with no pressure, which we do best.”

With preparations stepping up in training this week, Halliwell says the group are focused on enjoying the occasion while also making sure they are ready to deliver when it matters most:

“It'll be a good laugh like it always is at training, but now we'll switch on and really look forward to what we've got the opportunity to do, which is put Leeds back on and win the silverware, but also to put Wheelchair Rugby League on the map.

“Being on the stage on Sky Sports with millions of viewers and showcasing sport to that many people, it's amazing.

“We're still a growing sport and we're still going strong. All the players want to win, but the bigger picture is the sport growing and getting bigger and better.”

For Leeds, lifting the trophy would be the perfect reward for the resilience shown by the squad across the season.

For Halliwell personally, after everything he has been through to return to the court, victory on Sunday would be especially meaningful.

“Having two years out and then to have the opportunity to come back and win something is absolutely incredible.

“I think a few tears will be shed if we do get the win. It'd be amazing, not just for me but for the teammates too.

“We've had quite a lot of adversity over the last two years, so to have the opportunity to come back and win the trophy, it'd be amazing.

“And obviously for the club too, hopefully we'll get all three Leeds Rhinos teams lifting the trophy.”

Don’t miss your chance to see history made when the 2026 Betfred Wheelchair Super League Champion is crowned on Sunday 20 September.

Tickets are available here!