Tipping Competition2024
Smith exits his way - Australian Rugby league News
Back
globalrugbyleague - Sun, 14 Oct 2007 06:41:00 GMTLeeds Rhinos have sent coach Tony Smith out in style after capturing their second premiership in three-years via a 33-6 victory over St Helens at Old Trafford.
Holding St Helen’s scoreless in the second-half once again this season, it was the team of the night not the team of the year that popped the champagne corks in the end
Turning the tide of favouritism on it’s head, the Rhinos outscored Saints five tries to one to hand Smith the rare joy of a double premiership.
Ironically for Saints coach Daniel Anderson it was the clinical try-scoring effort of two former New Zealand Warriors stars, Brent Webb and Ali Lauititi that help cost him back-to-back titles.
The Rhinos mentor earlier this week told the media “To win a second grand final would be beyond my wildest dreams."
It makes you wonder what sort of dreams he might have should his success in Super League be converted onto the international stage during next year’s World Cup down under?
On the family premiership scoreboard Tony is now ahead of brother Brian (Newcastle Knights) 2-0.
Rub Burrow was awarded the Harry Sunderland man of the match award while captain Kevin Sinfield kicked 5 goals and 1 drop goal in an outstanding individual showing.
Leeds will now face a huge challenge in February when they tackle the Melbourne Storm in the 2008 World Club Challenge under incoming coach Brian McLennan.
McClennan – no stranger to success himself in international league – tutored the Kiwis for two seasons and took them to a tri-nations title after replacing Daniel Anderson.
England remain the only nation not to win a Tri-Nations series since the concept was introduced in 2004 so there will be plenty of challenges for Tony Smith in life after Leeds.
Full match report by Richard English to come.
Leeds Rhinos 33 (Lauitiiti, Donald, Webb, Smith tries; Sinfield (5) goals; Sinfield drop goal) def St Helens 6 (Roby try; S Long goal) Penalties: Leeds 4-4 40-20: St Helens 1-0. Ref: A Klein Crowd: 74,322 - Read More, Here
Holding St Helen’s scoreless in the second-half once again this season, it was the team of the night not the team of the year that popped the champagne corks in the end
Turning the tide of favouritism on it’s head, the Rhinos outscored Saints five tries to one to hand Smith the rare joy of a double premiership.
Ironically for Saints coach Daniel Anderson it was the clinical try-scoring effort of two former New Zealand Warriors stars, Brent Webb and Ali Lauititi that help cost him back-to-back titles.
The Rhinos mentor earlier this week told the media “To win a second grand final would be beyond my wildest dreams."
It makes you wonder what sort of dreams he might have should his success in Super League be converted onto the international stage during next year’s World Cup down under?
On the family premiership scoreboard Tony is now ahead of brother Brian (Newcastle Knights) 2-0.
Rub Burrow was awarded the Harry Sunderland man of the match award while captain Kevin Sinfield kicked 5 goals and 1 drop goal in an outstanding individual showing.
Leeds will now face a huge challenge in February when they tackle the Melbourne Storm in the 2008 World Club Challenge under incoming coach Brian McLennan.
McClennan – no stranger to success himself in international league – tutored the Kiwis for two seasons and took them to a tri-nations title after replacing Daniel Anderson.
England remain the only nation not to win a Tri-Nations series since the concept was introduced in 2004 so there will be plenty of challenges for Tony Smith in life after Leeds.
Full match report by Richard English to come.
Leeds Rhinos 33 (Lauitiiti, Donald, Webb, Smith tries; Sinfield (5) goals; Sinfield drop goal) def St Helens 6 (Roby try; S Long goal) Penalties: Leeds 4-4 40-20: St Helens 1-0. Ref: A Klein Crowd: 74,322 - Read More, Here