Super League team guide: Sinfield can lead Leeds to glory again
Published:
Team Name: Leeds
Nickname: Rhinos
Ground: Headingly Carnegie Stadium
Famous Fans: Stuart Lancaster, Russell Crowe, Gabby Logan, James Milner, Sean Bean
Super League Wins: Six – 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012
Last Season: Elimination Play-offs – Beaten 24-20 by Catalan Dragons
New Signings: Adam Cuthbertson (Newcastle Knights), Jordan Baldwinson (New Zealand Warriors), Mason Tonks (New Zealand Warriors)
Head Coach: Brian McDermott
A manager that has been there and done it on the pitch when it matters, contributing to Grand Final and Challenge Cup wins with first Bradford Northern, who eventually became the Bradford Bulls.
His career in the dugout didn’t start greatly, with a poor spell in charge of Harlequins RL, which saw the side continually suffer a loss of form in the second half of the season.
His tenure at Leeds though has been nothing but a success. His first season in charge in 2011 saw him claim the Super League title, and reach a Challenge Cup final.
The Rhinos replicated that feat the following season, but added a World Club Challenge in there for good measure.
Without a Super League win now in two years, McDermott will be hungry for more, and with a win percentage of 64% during his time at Headingley, few are better placed for a league revival.
Star Man: Kevin Sinfield
With nicknames such as “Sir Kev”, “King Kev” and “Captain Fantastic” it is quite obvious that the 34-year-old is held in pretty high regards at Headingley.
A real one-club-man, making nearly 500 appearances for the Rhinos, he has led them to all six of their Super League triumphs, twice picking up the Harry Sunderland Trophy for Man of the Match.
Pin-pointedly accurate with the boot, the stand-off holds the record for most points kicked in the competition, putting over 1454 goals, and 28 drop-goals.
Not just a one-trick pony though, Sinfield is more than capable of popping up with a try of his own, and has touched down over the whitewash 83 times for his club.
This is the moment Sinfield broke the record to become Rhinos’ all-time leading points scorer…
Super League Grand Final odds: 9/2
Ladbrokes Challenge Cup odds: 5/1
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
Can Sinfield lead the Rhinos to Super League triumph again? Back them using your free £25 bet and pick up £112.50 if they go all the way!
