Bailey agrees Warriors extension

Wigan Warriors back-row forward Phil Bailey has agreed a new one-year deal with the club for the 2010 Super League season.

Bailey, who has been with the Warriors since 2007, saw his original three-year contract end last month.

But after successfully coming through Achilles surgery, Bailey has been rewarded with another 12-month deal at the DW Stadium.

'I am delighted to have signed a new contract having thoroughly enjoyed my time so far with the Warriors,' said the 29-year-old Australian.

'The club have been great to me, I love the town and the fans have been fantastic.

'I was really disappointed to miss the end of last season with an Achilles injury but I am well on the road to recovery now and can’t wait to be part of the squad for the new season.'

Head coach Michael Maguire commented: 'Phil is a great player to have in your squad and I am pleased he is with us for 2010 and possibly beyond.

'He is whole-hearted and committed and has a great work ethic.'

Bailey switched positions from centre to second row in order to hold down a first-team place with the Warriors. In his three seasons with the club he has made 82 appearances and scored 15 tries.

Hull's King joins Wildcats

Wakefield Wildcats have announced the signing of Hull FC's international prop forward Paul King.

The 30-year-old front rower arrives at Belle Vue having signed a one-year contract, and he will join his new team-mates for pre-season training later this week.

Wildcats head coach John Kear said he is 'delighted' to have secured the signature of an experienced international player, especially one he knows well from their time together at Hull.

'I worked with him when I was coach at the KC Stadium and have a great deal of respect for him, both as a man and as a player,' he said.

'He's a very experienced player who has appeared at the highest levels of the sport and will be a valuable addition to our squad for next year.'

Kear said King would bolster the club's front-row presence in Super League, which was especially necessary due to the release of powerful New Zealander James Stosic - the victim of foreign player restrictions.

'Paul's a quality player with a shrewd rugby league brain. He's still got plenty to offer in Super League,' Kear added.

King made more than 200 first-team appearances for Hull, scoring 22 tries and one drop goal. He also helped his hometown club to a Challenge Cup win in 2005 and the Super League grand final in 2006, where they lost to St Helens.

Giants sign Hull star Horne

Huddersfield Giants have completed the signing of Hull FC utility man Graeme Horne on a one-year deal, it has been announced.

The 24-year-old England International, who has made more than 100 Super League appearances to date, becomes the Giants' sixth signing of the off season and admits he can't wait to get started at his new club.

'This could be just the challenge I need at this stage of my career, and I'm excited about it,' he said.

'It was great to know a club like Huddersfield were keen to take me on. They had a fantastic year last year under Nathan Brown, and I'm really excited about learning off him.'

Horne revealed he had other offers from around the league after expressing an interest in moving on from the KC Stadium, but said Huddersfield was his preferred destination.

'I did have other offers, but as soon as I knew Huddersfield were interested in me and I talked to the people there I knew this was the only place to be,' he continued.

'It doesn't take you very long to appreciate why this club is the Super League club of the year, and with the signings they've made I'm sure next season can also be fantastic.'

Huddersfield head coach Nathan Brown described Horne as 'a player of some talent' and said he will 'enhance the quality of our squad'.

'At this stage of the year it's not easy to pick up a player of this quality, so we believe we've done exceptionally well to get him,' Brown added.

RFL says England job will be fulltime

The next coach of the England rugby league team will be appointed on a fulltime basis, the sport's governing body has said.

The Rugby Football League is currently searching for a successor for Tony Smith, who stepped down after this month's Four Nations final defeat to Australia.

Smith juggled the national job with coaching responsibilities at Super League side Warrington Wolves in the final year of his contract.

As the new man will also be responsible for overseeing the development of a group of core players in partnership with clubs ahead of the 2013 World Cup, the RFL is looking for a full-time appointment.

'It needs to be part and parcel of a whole stream of measures the game is taking to give us the best possible chance in 2013,' said RFL chief executive Nigel Wood.

'We haven't set any restrictions on timelines. It is more important we get the right person rather than a quick appointment.

'We will be looking wherever we need to look to get the right person, or indeed combination of persons if that is appropriate, over the course of time.'

Among those leading the race to be awarded the job and a possible four-year contract are Wakefield Wildcats coach John Kear and his Hull KR counterpart Justin Morgan.

Great Britain legend Ellery Hanley is also reportedly in the frame.

England 20-12 New Zealand

England earned the right for revenge against Australia in the Four Nations final next Saturday with a convincing performance to overturn world champions New Zealand at the Galpharm Stadium.

Peter Fox was the star of the show, scoring twice before half-time to put the home side 18-6 ahead, after Kyle Eastmond's early score was cancelled out by Bryce Goodwin.

Ben Matulino made things interesting with a converted score shortly after the break to pull the Kiwis to within six points.

But some stern defensive work and a Kevin Sinfield penalty seven minutes from the end ensured the home side built on a convincing second-half performance against Australia last week.

The result means England qualify for the final from the round-robin stage, despite a scrappy victory over underdogs France and a lacklustre first half against the Australians in the last fortnight.

In the day's earlier game, Australia secured their passage into the showpiece against the tournament hosts with a convincing 42-4 victory over the French.

Debutant Michael Jennings grabbed a hat-trick, while the Morris twins - Josh and Brett - each scored a brace as the Kangaroos ran riot after the interval.

Bulls duo obtain visas

Bradford Bulls have announced that Australian duo Heath L'Estrange and Brett Kearney have received their visas and will arrive for pre-season training within the next two weeks.

Kearney, the former Cronulla Sharks full back, has recently married and waited until after the ceremony to apply.

Former Manly Sea Eagles hooker L'Estrange obtained his visa several weeks ago and will go into the Bulls squad as a replacement for the former Great Britain international Terry Newton, who has left Odsal for rivals Wakefield.

Bulls media and football manager Stuart Duffy said: 'It's a major boost to us and our supporters to know that Brett and Heath have had their visas approved, although we never had any reason to suspect they would not be and they will be here on schedule for pre-season training.'

Another Bulls recruit from Australia, Glenn Hall, who was a member of the Manly 2008 NRL Grand Final team, is still awaiting his visa.

However, Duffy said he expects an approval within the next seven days.

'We have spoken to the High Commission in Canberra regarding Glenn Hall, who reapplied due to changes in his family circumstances and we expect his visa will be approved later this week or early next,' he added.

Both L'Estrange and Hall will join former Manly team-mate Steve Menzies, who has become one of the Bulls' leading stars since arriving from the NRL at the end of 2008 and recently signed a new 12-month deal for the 2010 season.

Crusaders launch new club logo

The Super League club formerly known as Celtic Crusaders have announced a full re-branding ahead of the 2010 season, which sees them launching a new logo and dropping 'Celtic' from their name.

The club, who finished bottom of European rugby league's top flight in their debut season this year, are set to move to Newport for a groundshare with union side Newport-Gwent Dragons in the close season.

And to reflect their change of focus with the switch to Rodney Parade, which is intended to attract a wider fanbase, Crusaders chief executive Mike Turner has unveiled a new logo representing the whole of Wales.

'We've been working hard on building a club that represents Wales and not just one area,' Turner explained.

'In the past, we've been associated a little too much with the old Celtic Warriors adopting half of their name and even using an adaptation of their badge.

'It wasn't surprising as we were playing out of their old ground but now we want to emphasise that we are a team that represents this whole nation.'

The new emblem features the Prince of Wales feathers on a St David's cross background.

And Turner believes it will make the brand much more accessible throughout Wales.

'The three feathers, as used by the Royal Welsh regiment, lots of businesses and organisations across the country as well as being on Welsh currency, is synonymous with Wales, plus we don't want to lose our St David's cross and black and gold colours,' he continued.

'We are very much building for the future here at the Crusaders.

'We are happy with how Wales is embracing the Crusaders and rugby league as a whole but we know we still have a lot of hard work to do.'

Plans for the club's second season in Super League were dealt an early blow towards the end of the last campaign when six of their top foreign stars - including captain Jace Van Dijk - were sent back to Australia because of visa problems.

As a result the club's coaching and scouting staff have been forced to work overtime in the past two months in order to highlight potential new signings to replace the core of the side.

That recruitment process was given a boost last month, however, when it was announced that former Great Britain and Wigan head coach Brian Noble would be taking over the running of the first-team.

England 16-26 Australia

Australia survived a spirited second-half comeback from England to win 26-16 at the DW Stadium.

The visitors raced into a 26-0 lead at half-time thanks to a brace from full-back Billy Slater as well as tries from Darren Lockyer, Greg Ingliss and Brett Morris. But they were made to work for their win as England scored 16 unanswered points in the second forty.

The Kangaroos started the game on the front foot and it took them just six minutes to turn their superiority into points.

Australia attacked England’s left flank before switching play as Lockyer set Inglis into space. The centre raced away before returning the favour to his skipper, who collected the return ball to score.

England fell further behind on fifteen minutes as Slater scored his first try. The Kangaroos ruthlessly exploited a Jamie Peacock mistake as they again switched play from right to left before Slater outpaced the England defence.

And England’s day went from bad to worse as Slater completed his brace straight from the kick off. Man of the match Inglis raced clear again down the left before committing Shaun Briscoe and slipping the pass to Slater who scored.

Inglis got his name on the scoresheet in the 22nd minute as he took advantage of Danny McGuire’s misplaced pass to race almost the length of the pitch and touch down.

The visitors targeted the right side of England’s defence for much of the first half and it was a ploy that paid dividends again in the 32nd minute as Morris went over in the left corner.

That score put Australia 26-0 up at the break and it was difficult to see how England could get back into the game.

However, the home side came out for the second half with a much more positive attitude and had hit back within four minutes of the restart.

A clever reverse ball from Kevin Sinfield put Sam Burgess through and the young second row powered over to score.

England were now well on top and were unlucky not to eat further into Australia’s lead as Burgess couldn’t quite get on the end of a McGuire chip through.

They did get a second score in the 68th minute as stand-off Sam Tomkins stepped past two defenders before offloading to Gareth Ellis who went over.

The Kangaroos were further rocked with seven minutes left as Jonathan Thurston saw yellow for holding on.

And England’s man advantage paid immediate dividends as Lee Smith raced over on the right to set up a frantic final five minutes.

However, it was too little too late as Australia held on to win. England, though, can take plenty of positives from their second half performance into the clash with New Zealand.

Tomkins handed England starting berth

England have added Sam Tomkins and Eorl Crabtree to their squad for Saturday's Four Nations clash against Australia.

Wigan Warriors half-back Tomkins, Super League's young player of the year, goes into the starting line-up in place of Richie Myler.

Myler missed the closing stages of the 34-12 win against France through concussion but England head coach Tony Smith admitted that Tomkins, who scored a hat-trick of tries on debut against Wales, was in his plans anyway.

'Richie has still got a bit of a head knock but Sam was going to get a chance this week,' he said.

'It gives us a chance to compare the two and decide which way we go for the final week.

'I've got lot of faith in both those young men but it's Sam's go this week.'

Meanwhile front rower Crabtree of the Huddersfield Giants is named among the replacements as club-mate Scott Moore is dropped.

James Roby will start at hooker in place of Moore and captain Jamie Peacock switches to the second row to accommodate prop James Graham, with Sam Burgess dropping to the bench.

England squad:

S Briscoe; T Briscoe, Smith, Shenton, Hall; McGuire, Tomkins; Morley, Roby, Graham, Ellis, Peacock (capt), Sinfield. Replacements: Burgess, Crabtree, Eastmond, Westwood.

Williams extends Harlequins deal

Harlequins prop Dave Williams has signed a new one-year deal that will keep him at the Stoop until the end of 2010.

The 22-year-old London-born front-row follows in the footsteps of Tony Clubb and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook as products of the Harlequins youth system that have made it to Super League level.

And Williams said he is hoping to make a similar impact on the team next season after missing the majority of 2008 because of injury.

'I played with Tony Clubb and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook throughout my junior career,' he explained.

'Seeing them and others break through into the first team gave me the belief that I could too.

'I struggled with injuries last season but now I'm raring to go.

'You learn so much everyday in training and I can't wait for the preseason programme to begin.'

Harlequins head coach Brian McDermott said: 'Dave will be the first to admit he had a frustrating year with injury.

'These are still the very early stages of his career and we’re all looking forward to getting things back on track.'

Williams joined Harlequins at the age of 15 as an academy player and was awarded for his hard work with a squad number this year, although fitness problems have limited him to only one senior appearance so far.

Carmont extends Warriors contract

Wigan Warriors centre George Carmont has signed a new one-year contract with the club with the option to extend the deal until the end of the 2011 season.

Carmont, who joined Wigan from NRL side Newcastle Knights in November 2007, has impressed in his two Super League seasons, scoring 31 tries in 63 appearances.

And chairman Ian Lenagan says he is 'delighted' to have secured the signature of the experienced Samoan.

'George is both strong in defence and possesses an excellent try-scoring ratio and he has consistently performed well for the side,' said Lenagan, who has had a clause inserted into the contract that ensures the second year will only be activated if Carmont makes a pre-agreed number of appearances.

'The deal is good for both parties as it can give George a second year based on sufficient appearances next season but ensures opportunity for our young developing players at the club to make their mark if fitness prevents George playing to the right extent or level next year.'

Carmont said the decision to stay at Wigan 'was the best for myself and my family'.

'There is a good feeling and a good bond amongst the boys, which I wanted to continue to be a part of,' he said.

Carmont's future was left somewhat uncertain following the departure of former Wigan coach Brian Noble, who has now taken over at Celtic Crusaders.

But the 31-year-old said he is looking forward to playing under the new regime.

He added: 'I am excited about working under the new coaching staff of Michael Maguire and Shaun Wane.'

Briscoe receives England call-up

Hull FC starlet Tom Briscoe has been called into the England squad for the upcoming Four Nations tournament as injury cover.

The 19-year-old, who can play at centre or on the wing, replaces Wigan Warriors' Sean O'Loughlin after he was ruled out with a broken thumb.

Briscoe made an impressive start to his international career with two tries on his debut in Saturday's 48-12 victory over Wales in Bridgend.

But he said he was still taken aback to be offered a place in the England squad by head coach Tony Smith.

'The call came right out of the blue. I wasn't expecting it but it has made my week,' said Briscoe, who missed three months of the 2009 season because of an ankle injury.

'I was more than happy to just have played against Wales. Considering the frustrations of this season I didn't expect much more.

'To have got a call up to join the Four Nations squad is more than I could have expected. It is just fantastic and it really does put a totally different view to the season.'

Briscoe has played only 29 senior games for Hull, scoring 14 tries, but he remains hopeful of breaking into the England team for the upcoming tournament.

'Making the squad doesn't guarantee anything but having got this far I'd like to get in the side and play in the Four Nations,' he continued.

'I have just got to work hard, try my best and impress in training. If I do that then hopefully that will get me in the side.'

Hull FC head coach Richard Agar said Briscoe deserves his chance after working hard to get back to playing standard following his injury-plagued 2009 season.

'It's good news for Tom and I am pretty certain that had he not suffered his injury when he did he would have played himself into the 24-man squad a little earlier than this,' he said.

'He had a chance to push himself forward on Saturday night against Wales and I felt he took his chance well.

'We're pleased for him and knowing him as we do we know nothing will phase him and he certainly won't let anyone down.'

England open their Four Nations campaign against France at the Keepmoat Stadium this Friday, October 23rd.

Reardon re-signs for Bradford

Utility back Stuart Reardon has been re-signed by former club Bradford Bulls following his release by Warrington Wolves at the end of the season.

Reardon became a free agent earlier this month after the Wolves decided not to renew his contract because he had only managed limited playing time since suffering an Achilles tendon injury in 2008.

But Bradford - who won the 2003 Super League Grand Final against Wigan, a game in which Reardon won the Harry Sunderland award for man of the match, have decided to take a chance on the 28-year-old.

'Everybody knows the quality of Stuart Reardon as a player and his ability to break tackles and get the ball over the try line,' said Bulls coach Steve McNamara.

'We're very excited to have him and Stuart is just as excited to be here.

'When he left Bradford Bulls he was still a young boy in a side surrounded by senior players.

'Now he is coming back as a senior player and we are very confident in his ability to be a fantastic player for us again.'

Reardon said he is 'really looking forward' to re-joining Bradford.

'It's my home town club and I'd like to thank them for giving me the opportunity to resume my career,' he added.

In his three previous seasons at Odsal, Reardon made 78 appearances for the club and scored 32 tries before joining Warrington at the beginning of 2006.

Tomkins shines on debut against Wales

Sam Tomkins scored a hat-trick of tries on his debut as England ran out 48-12 victors against Wales in their Four Nations warm-up game.

England were made to work hard for their victory and initially went behind to a Craig Kopzcak try.

Tony Smith's men, however, bounced back with two tries from Tomkins and one each from Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook and Sam Burgess to lead 20-6 at half-time.

Wales responded with a try from Ian Watson, but the game was put beyond their reach after two tries from Tom Briscoe and Sean O'Loughlin and Adrian Morely both crossing.

Tomkins then rounded off an impressive debut with his third and England's ninth try in the closing minutes of the game.

Smith said afterwards he was pleased with his team's performance despite the fact they made hard work of dismissing their opponents.

'Some of our skills were a little off at times, as was some of our decision-making,' he said.

'But that's understandable when there are guys there who hadn't played for a while.

'I am pleased that we've been able to get some of the rustiness out and that we finished the game strongly. We scored some nice tries.

'We also got through it pretty well in terms of injuries, and I would be doubtful that we've got any concerns ahead of the games facing us.'

England will play France in the first round of the Four Nations next Friday.

Crusaders name Noble as new coach

Celtic Crusaders have unveiled former Wigan boss Brian Noble as their new head coach at a press conference in Bridgend.

The former Great Britain coach, 48, who won three World Club Championships and three Grand Finals in his five-year reign at Bradford Bulls between 2001 and 2006, has taken up a senior role at the Crusaders after being released by Wigan at the end of his contract last season.

The Crusaders have been chasing Noble to replace Australian John Dixon, who left the club after they finished bottom in their first season in Super League.

A deal to reunite Noble with first-team coach Jon Sharp to form a new management team has also been confirmed, with Wales coach Iestyn Harris as an assistant.

Three new faces in England squad

England coach Tony Smith has called up three new faces to his squad for the upcoming Four Nations tournament involving France, Australia and New Zealand.

Super League young player of the year Sam Tomkins (Wigan Warriors) joins fellow new boys Chris Bridge (Warrington Wolves) and Kyle Eastmond (St Helens) in the 24-man lineup.

The former two also make the 20-strong squad for the warm-up game against Wales in Bridgend this Saturday.

“It’s great to see some young and fresh faces in there, this is very much a squad for now and a squad which looks to the future,” said Smith, who includes fellow young player of the year nominee Richie Myler in the squad alongside Eastmond and Tomkins.

“These young players will do a good job for us alongside the wealth of experience that exists elsewhere in the squad.

“The depth of talent reflects the increasing numbers of exciting young players who are emerging from Super League.”

Wests Tigers star Gareth Ellis is the only man in the squad not with a Super League club.

And Grand Final winners Leeds Rhinos are the best represented with five players in the squad - captain Kevin Sinfield being joined by England skipper Jamie Peacock, Danny McGuire, Ryan Hall and rugby union-bound full-back Lee Smith.

Full 20-man squad for Wales exhibition:

Chris Bridge (Warrington Wolves)
Tom Briscoe (Hull FC)
Sam Burgess (Bradford Bulls)
Garreth Carvell (Warrington Wolves)
Tony Clubb (Harlequins)
Gareth Ellis (Wests Tigers)
Peter Fox (Hull Kingston Rovers)
Ben Harrison (Warrington Wolves)
Mickey Higham (Warrington Wolves)
Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook (Harlequins)
Scott Moore (Huddersfield Giants)
Adrian Morley (Warrington Wolves)
Richard Myler (Salford City Reds)
Sean O’Loughlin (Wigan Warriors)
Stefan Ratchford (Salford City Reds)
Michael Shenton (Castleford Tigers)
Paul Sykes (Bradford Bulls)
Danny Tickle (Hull FC)
Sam Tomkins (Wigan Warriors)
Ben Westwood (Warrington Wolves)

Full 24-man squad for Four Nations:

Chris Bridge (Warrington Wolves)
Shaun Briscoe (Hull Kingston Rovers)
Sam Burgess (Bradford Bulls)
Garreth Carvell (Warrington Wolves)
Eorl Crabtree (Huddersfield Giants)
Kyle Eastmond (St Helens)
Gareth Ellis (Wests Tigers)
Peter Fox (Hull Kingston Rovers)
James Graham (St Helens)
Ryan Hall (Leeds)
Danny McGuire (Leeds)
Scott Moore (Huddersfield Giants)
Adrian Morley (Warrington Wolves)
Richard Myler (Salford City Reds)
Sean O’Loughlin (Wigan Warriors)
Jamie Peacock (Leeds, captain)
James Roby (St Helens)
Michael Shenton (Castleford Tigers)
Kevin Sinfield (Leeds)
Lee Smith (Leeds)
Paul Sykes (Bradford Bulls)
Sam Tomkins (Wigan Warriors)
Ben Westwood (Warrington Wolves)
Jon Wilkin (St Helens)

Crusaders 'to name Noble as new boss'

Celtic Crusaders are set to unveil former Wigan Warriors head coach Brian Noble as their new director of rugby, according to reports.

The former Great Britain coach, 48, who won three World Club Championships and three Grand Finals in his five-year reign at Bradford Bulls between 2001 and 2006, is expected to take up a senior role at the Crusaders after being released by Wigan at the end of his contract last season.

The Crusaders have been chasing Noble to replace Australian John Dixon, who left the club after they finished bottom in their first season in Super League.

Rumours are also circulating that the Crusaders are finalising a deal to reunite Noble with Jon Sharp to form a new management team at the club.

Sharp's advisor Abi Ekoku said: 'Subject to details being ironed out, Brian and Jon will be working together as a pairing at the Crusaders.

'That combined experience is exceptional and I think it's a good statement of intent by the club.

'Brian's record speaks for itself and people seem to forget that Sharpy had five very good years at Huddersfield.

'I'm genuinely excited about the prospects for Celtic Crusaders. It's going to be a tough year next year because they are having to recruit very late in the year but they both have good networks and contacts in the game.'

The club have refused to comment on speculation that Noble will be named to the coaching staff, but have confirmed that an announcement is due at noon today.

Sinfield heaps praise on McClennan

Leeds Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield praised coach Brian McClennan for masterminding their third consecutive Grand Final victory.

Sinfield, who was awarded man of the match in the 18-10 win over St Helens, also commended the efforts of chairman Paul Caddick and chief executive Gary Hetherington in helping the Rhinos to re-write Super League history.

Sinfield told the Rhinos official website: 'The coach deserves the credit for how he has managed this team since he arrived here.

'New Zealand's loss has certainly been our gain. I have also spoken about Paul Caddick and Gary Hetherington and how this is down to them as well.

'In a salary cap sport it is tough to keep together a group of players and they have managed that by creating an environment that no one wants to leave.

'We lose people occasionally like Nick Scruton and Gareth Ellis last year and Lee Smith this year.

'But everyone else is here for good. We could all probably go elsewhere and earn more money but we don't.

'You can't buy memories like tonight. These aren't just team mates, they are friends too. In that sense we are billionaires when it comes to memories.'

McClennan was quick to deflect praise away from himself and back towards the players, in particular his captain.

McClennan said: 'I am so pleased for these guys. Good things happen to good people and I could not be prouder of them.

'The way these guys live their lives and how they promote our great game, I think they deserve credit for that.

'That is epitomised by our captain Kevin Sinfield. To lead a team to four Championships is an incredible achievement.'

Leeds Rhinos 18-10 St Helens

Leeds Rhinos made Super League history with their third consecutive Grand Final victory after an 18-10 win over St Helens.

A brace of tries from Lee Smith was enough to see off a resilient Saints side whose points all came from youngster Kyle Eastmond.

Tries from Matt Diskin and Smith cancelled out Eastmond's converted try and penalty to keep the teams locked at 8-8 after the first period.

In the second half the sides traded penalties before Smith's second try gave Leeds their third Grand Final victory in succession.

The Saints were straight onto the front foot with Sean Long hoisting a high-kick into the Manchester night sky but Leeds full-back Brent Webb snaffled the catch.

Jon Wilkin breathed a sigh of relief after his sliced kick handed Leeds good field position, only for Danny McGuire to knock-on with the try line at his mercy.

With fourteen minutes gone St Helens grabbed the first try of the evening through make shift centre Eastmond.

Wilkins kick through deflecting off Kevin Sinfield and into the grateful arms of Eastmond who scuttled in for the opening score. Eastmond's conversion made it 6-0.

In the space of two minutes Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Scott Donald came within inches of restoring parity only to be thwarted by heroic Saints defending.

A minute later and the Rhinos found themselves further behind. Eastmond notching a penalty after Leeds were deemed to be offside from a high-kick.

Out of absolutely nothing Matt Diskin breached the Saints defence to drag his side back into the contest.

The hooker worming his way over from close range to half the deficit. Sinfield's conversion attempt came back of the post.

It was all Leeds now and they were soon back on level terms with half-time approaching.

A mix up in the Saints defence following McGuire's grubber giving winger Smith enough time to touch down in the corner.

Sinfield was again wayward with his conversion making the half-time score 8-8.

Into the second period and the Rhinos were soon in front, albeit by just the one point following a Sinfield drop-goal.

Saints were almost back in front but Ade Gardner was adjudged by the video referee to have been in touch when he went over in the corner.

Rhinos were threatening to take this game away from Saints and if it wasn't for Francis Meli it could have been all over.

The winger on hand to gather a Sinfield grubber with Scott Donald breathing down his neck.

Instead it was Saints who regained the advantage. Eastmond taking his and his side's tally to ten with a penalty, 10-9 with 21 minutes to go.

The game see-sawed back in the Rhinos favour with 15 minutes to go, Sinfield's penalty making it 11-10.

Eastmond's personal crusade to win this match continued and the 20-year old came within inches of giving his side the lead again, putting a foot in touch as he went over in the corner.

With seven minutes to go Smith scored the try that re-wrote Super League history.

The winger latching onto a McGuire kick to run in his second try and all but give the Rhinos their third Grand Final win in a row. Sinfield added the extras to make it 17-10.

That put the nail in the Saints coffin with Rob Burrow's drop goal hammering it in further as the Rhinos triumphed for the third season in a row.

Rhinos and Saints ready for Grand Final showdown

Leeds Rhinos and St Helens are set to go head to head at Old Trafford tomorrow night for the right to claim the 2009 Super League title.

Both sides have appeared in each of the last two rugby league Grand Finals, with Leeds emerging victorious on both occasions.

However, Leeds front-row Jamie Peacock has played down talk of Saints looking for revenge, saying: 'The last two years don't come into it.'

'You can't afford to spend time thinking out that,' he continued.

'It would be nice to win three in a row but, if you concentrate on that, you've a chance of slipping up.

'We've got to concentrate on performing and, if we do that, history will take care of itself.'

Despite losing the last two showpiece matches, Saints will make it four straight Grand Finals on Saturday - having beaten Hull FC in 2006 before the back-to-back losses against the Rhinos in 2007 and 2008.