2008 Super League Grand Final

2008 (2008) Super League Grand Final  ()
2008 Super League logo
Leeds Rhinos celebrating their victory after the full-time whistle
St. Helens Leeds Rhinos
16 24
12 Total
ST H 610 16
LEE 1212 24
Date4 October 2008
StadiumOld Trafford
LocationEngland Manchester
Harry Sunderland TrophyEngland Lee Smith ( Leeds Rhinos)
HeadlinersScouting for Girls
RefereeAshley Klein
Attendance68,810
Broadcast partners
Broadcasters
Commentators
← 2007
2009 →

The 2008 Super League Grand Final was the 11th official Grand Final and conclusive and championship-deciding match of the Super League XIII season. Held on Saturday 4 October 2008, at Old Trafford, Manchester, the match was between League Leaders St. Helens and defending champions from 2007 Leeds Rhinos.

Background

Further information: 2008 Super League season results
Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts
1 St. Helens 27 21 1 5 940 457 +483 43
2 Leeds Rhinos 27 21 0 6 863 413 +450 42

Route to the Final

St Helens

Round Opposition Score
Qualifying Semi-Final Leeds Rhinos (H) 38-10
Key: (H) = Home venue; (A) = Away venue; (N) = Neutral venue.

Leeds Rhinos

Round Opposition Score
Qualifying Semi-Final St Helens (A) 38-10
Elimination Final Wigan Warriors (H) 18-14
Key: (H) = Home venue; (A) = Away venue; (N) = Neutral venue.

Match details

4 October 2008
18:00 UTC+1
St. Helens 16 - 24 Leeds Rhinos
Tries: Graham 6'
Gidley 43'
Gardner 59'
Goals: Long (2) 		Report
 Tries: Smith 24'
Hall 37'
McGuire 49', 63'
Goals: Sinfield (4)
Old Trafford, Manchester
Attendance: 68,810
Referee: Ashley Klein (Australia)
St Helens Position Leeds Rhinos
1 England Paul Wellens Fullback 5 England Lee Smith
England Ade Gardner Winger 22 England Ryan Hall
Australia Matthew Gidley Centre 19 England Carl Ablett
Samoa Willie Talau Centre 4 England Keith Senior
Samoa Francis Meli Winger 2 Australia Scott Donald
England Leon Pryce Stand Off 6 England Danny McGuire
England Sean Long Scrum half 7 England Rob Burrow
10 England James Graham Prop 8 New Zealand Kylie Leuluai
9 Wales Keiron Cunningham (c) Hooker 9 England Matt Diskin
England Bryn Hargreaves Prop 10 England Jamie Peacock
England Lee Gilmour 2nd Row 11 England Jamie Jones-Buchanan
12 England Jon Wilkin 2nd Row 12 England Gareth Ellis
13 England Chris Flannery Loose forward 13 England Kevin Sinfield (c)
14 England James Roby Interchange 14 New Zealand Ali Lauitiiti
England Nick Fozzard Interchange 16 England Ryan Bailey
England Paul Clough Interchange 17 England Nick Scruton
Samoa Maurie Fa'asavalu Interchange 18 England Ian Kirke
Australia Daniel Anderson Coach New Zealand Brian McClennan

The coin to see who kicked off was tossed by 12-year-old, James Baxter who won the opportunity through a competition through the leagues sponsor Engage.

2009 World Club Challenge

Main article: 2009 World Club Challenge

The Rhinos' win in the grand final earned them the right to play against the 2008 NRL season premiers, the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles on 1 March 2009 in the World Club Challenge.

References