Leeds turn the tables on St Helens - again

Oct 6 2008

GRAND FINAL hero Lee Smith kept his promise to stricken full-back Brent Webb with a man-of-the- match performance as Leeds turned the tables on St Helens for the second successive year.

The Rhinos became only the second team – behind Saints – to successfully defend their engage Super League crown and Smith played a key role in the shock 24-16 victory.

He was switched from wing to full-back just 24 hours before kick-off after New Zealander Webb was forced to pull out with a back injury that threatens his participation in the World Cup.

Smith responded with a faultless defensive effort in wet and windy conditions and added a cutting edge to the Rhinos’ attack.

“I feel for Webby to miss a big game like that.” said Smith. “I said I would do him proud and I’ve done him proud. He’s sat at home and probably cried his eyes out.

“I don’t mind playing on the wing when you’ve got someone like Webby, who is one of the best full- backs in the world if not the best, but stepping in at full-back doesn’t faze me. I was pretty confident going in that position.”

Webb was in so much pain that he could not travel to Manchester but he was still included in the post-match celebrations.

Coach Brian McClennan explained: “There was a special moment in the dressing room after the game. We phoned Webby and the guys sang ’Brent Webb is Superman’ down the phone to him.

“We love the guy and we are really upset for him that he wasn’t here. But the best way we could put a smile on his face was by winning this special trophy.”

Smith, who scored a try from the wing in last year’s 33-6 win over St Helens, repeated the feat from his makeshift position as Leeds overturned an early 6-0 deficit.

Winger Ryan Hall, drafted in at short notice for his first appearance since July, also grabbed a try, touching down his own deft kick-ahead, and stand-off Danny McGuire finished Saints off with two second-half tries.

There was no doubting Leeds’ ascendancy and, when Smith fluked a crucial 40-20 kick that created the position for McGuire’s pivotal second try, he knew it was going to be his day.

He was awarded the Harry Sunderland trophy as man of the match, joining such illustrious company as Jason Robinson and Kris Radlinski and Andy Farrell.

“I’ve just had a couple of minutes to myself to look at the trophy and there’s some amazing names on there,” he said.

“To be among them is amazing and it probably won’t sink in until I’m sat at home on Wednesday or Thursday with my family. ”It was more of a team effort. All the boys dug deep, I thought we deserved it.“

Smith’s nearest rival for the Sunderland trophy was skipper Kevin Sinfield, whose tactical kicking enabled his side to take control by keeping St Helens pinned deep inside their own half for long periods of the match.

“He does a lot of practice and practice makes perfect,” said Smith. “He’s the last one to leave the field every day.

“I thought he was outstanding. All our forwards worked so hard, it made it easy for me.”

Meanwhile, Smith now faces an anxious 48-hour wait to see if his Old Trafford heroics will be enough to earn him a call-up into England’s World Cup squad.

England coach Tony Smith will name his final 24-man squad on Tuesday and is sure to take into account his namesake’s versatility when considering back-up to Paul Wellens at full-back.

Smith, who played for England at the second-tier international level in their Federation Shield triumph in 2006, is in the process of booking his own trip to Australia but would happily forgo his holiday plans for a chance to play in the World Cup.

“I’ll see what Tony has to say,” he said. “If I do make it, it will be brilliant. There is nothing better than to play for your country. If not, I’ve got something up my sleeve.”