KEVIN SINFIELD can help Leeds Rhinos create Rugby League history in his last-ever competitive game in the sport on Saturday, October 10.
Victory for Rhinos in the Grand Final at Old Trafford will complete a historic treble as they have already won the League Leaders’ Shield and Challenge Cup.
The treble has only been completed six times by four clubs – Huddersfield, St Helens, Swinton and Bradford – and Leeds will be aiming to beat Wigan Warriors and join that select band of clubs. St Helens was the last team to win the treble in 2006.
It has been a fairytale finish to the final season in RL for the Grotton-based Sinfield who played a starring role in the dramatic 20-13 semi-final win against St Helens last Friday.
Rhinos were behind for 70 of the 80 minutes when Sinfield, former head boy at Saddleworth School, came up with a decisive 40-20 kick.
That is a kick from behind his own 40m defensive line that bounces into touch within the opposition 20m line letting the kicking side put in the ball in the resulting scrum that led to a try for Ryan Hall and Sinfield conversion that put Rhinos into the lead.
Rhinos sealed victory with a last minute try from Callum Watkins to seal their Grand Final place.
Sinfield, who kicked four goals from four attempts, said: “That was as tough a game as I have been involved in.
“Great credit to Saints who came here and played like champions and had a really good go. It was very, very close.”
The 34-year-old admitted he could not have wished for a better last-ever game at Headingley before his switch to the 15-man game as he is joining twin club Yorkshire Carnegie.
After the team’s lap of honour at the end of the game, Sinfield said: “It was emotional being my last game, but what a good way to say goodbye in front of 18,000 fans.
“There was a mixture of emotions at the end as I was happy to have won but it was also a sad moment. I also wanted to thank a lot of people.”
Sinfield, one of the game’s most decorated players, admitted to feeling nerves on the morning of the game, but as soon as he began the warm up they disappeared.
There was also praise for Sinfield from beaten Saints coach Kieron Cunningham who said: “Kevin is an experienced campaigner who has played a million games.
“He knows how to win big games, and that is why he is a great player and who has won the Golden Boot (world player of the year) as he can come up with game changing plays.”
Sinfield will be making a farewell appearance at Headingley on Friday, October 23 when Leeds Rhinos play New Zealand in a friendly before they play a series against England. The game is officially being billed as a send off for Sinfield, Jamie Peacock and Kylie Leuluai, three club legends, who are all leaving at the end of the season.
