Super League Grand Final: Wigan curse could strike again
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After collecting the League Leaders’ Shield and thrashing Hull KR in 50-0 in the Challenge Cup final Leeds are on the brink of securing an historic treble when they face Wigan at Old Trafford this weekend.
Despite their solid season the Rhinos find themselves priced up as marginal underdogs for the showpiece finale with odds of 11/10 saying they will beat Wigan to claim the Super League XX crown.
The unlikely draw can be backed at 18/1, while the Warriors are the slight favourites for glory at 10/11.
With the match representing a last hurrah for the likes of Kevin Sinfield, Jamie Peacock and Kylie Leuluai the Rhinos will be going all out for the win but the so-called Wigan Curse means they will have to get over a huge psychological block to emerge victorious.
The Rhinos may be one of the most successful teams in the modern era but the fact remains the Headingley side has never beaten Wigan in a major final.
The Warriors got the best of Leeds in the John Player Trophy final back in 1983, won all three Challenge Cup final meetings in 1994, 1995 and 2011 and took the Premiership final bragging rights in 1995.
The sides have met just once before in the Super League Grand Final, back when the tournament started in 1998, and Wigan were once again crowned champions at the expense of Leeds.
A three-trophy haul has only been achieved twice before in the Super League era, with Bradford (2003) and St Helens (2006) laying down the gauntlet.
Becoming the third team to claim all three prizes would be a fitting way for Leeds to say goodbye to their trio loyal servants, but it could prove a case of close but no cigar once more if Wigan stay true to form.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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