ELATION AND emotion are etched on the face of Leeds Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield as he finally lifts Rugby League’s Challenge Cup.
It was a moment to savour for the 33-year-old from Grotton who had experienced heartache and heartbreak in the competition.
Rhinos had lost six finals in a row and loose-forward Kevin had appeared in five of those losses, the first of which was in 2003.
“It was a special moment as I had waited a long time to get my hands on the silverware. I was quite emotional as I climbed the stairs to receive the cup because the previous ones as a loser had been horrible,” he explained.
“It still hasn’t sunk in and I don’t think it will until the end of the season when I can reflect properly on it, but I am ecstatic as well as relieved.”
While Kevin has won six Grand Finals, two League Leaders’ Shields, three World Club Challenges and many individual accolades, the Challenge Cup was the one missing piece of silverware.
Kevin, who had lost finals in 2003, 05, 10, 11 and 12, finally got his hands on the trophy following a 23-10 Wembley win against Castleford Tigers.
Now in the autumn of an illustrious career, Kevin continued: “I was by no means fearful that my career would end without me winning the Challenge Cup, the only piece of silverware I have not won.
“I was hopeful I would get another shot and opportunity, and thankfully I did. It is extra special to me having lost five finals and makes it that bit sweeter.”
Kevin added that there was extra pressure on the team and himself because of their losing runs in the final which stretched back to 2000.
They last won it in 1999 when they defeated Wigan and Kevin said: “It has been a 15-year wait and that is too long for a club like the size of the Rhinos not to have won the cup.
“It was brilliant and hard to put into words what it meant to me. It is right up there in the best two or three moments in my career.”
The final at Wembley was also special for Waterhead Amateur Rugby League Club as Sinfield was one of three former players to appear alongside Castleford pair Marc Sneyd and Lee Jewitt.
Kevin said: “There are a lot of volunteers at Waterhead who work so hard for the club. They have produced player after player and it was great recognition for their efforts as they have done great things for Rugby League.
“Hopefully the three of us appearing in the final will inspire the next generation. If we can encourage and inspire just one youngster to pick up a ball it will be fantastic.”
Shortly after the Wembley triumph, Kevin announced his retirement from international rugby in a move aimed at extending his club career. He was the current England and Great Britain skipper.
He described it as one of the toughest decisions he has ever had to make because he is bowing out at the top.
Meanwhile Austerlands’ Robert Hicks was also involved at Wembley as the 32-year-old match official ran the line for the fourth time in the final of the Challenge Cup.
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