WIGAN scrum-half Thomas Leuluai paid tribute to his side’s “desire and desperation” as they scratched their seven-year itch with an emphatic 26-6 victory which ended Leeds’ recent domination of Super League.

The Warriors bounced back from a heartbreaking defeat to the Rhinos in their earlier play-off tie to run in four tries to one in the second semi-final at Headingley to set up a derby showdown with St Helens at Old Trafford next Saturday.

It will be Wigan’s first Grand Final appearance since 2003 and Leuluai could not conceal his joy at reaching his first domestic final, especially after falling at the penultimate Super League hurdle in each of his first three seasons at the club and also experiencing two Challenge Cup semi-final defeats.

“It was a nervy game – relieved might be a good word,” said the New Zealand international.

“I know we definitely deserve to be there but it doesn’t always work out that way.

“I wouldn’t say it was a vintage Wigan performance but we definitely showed desire and desperation in our defence.

“That’s semi-final football. It’s not always pretty but it’s effective.

“We didn’t play our best last time against them and we knew that if we performed today we’d get the result.”

Looking ahead to the final, he added: “We’re going there to win it.”