Leeds Rhinos will look to shut out a surprising unbeaten season in Sunday’s Wheelchair Tremendous League Grand Closing, stay on Sky Sports activities, however should beat fierce rivals and two-time champions Halifax Panthers to take action.
The 2 sides have met collectively in Grand Finals twice earlier than, and each went the best way of the Panthers in tight 2019 and 2022 title victories.
Leeds knocked Halifax out within the semi-finals in 2021 en path to their very own Tremendous League title, nevertheless, and have crushed the Panthers twice up to now this 12 months in a daily season marketing campaign which has seen the Rhinos stay unbeaten.
By way of what Leeds head coach James Simpson places their success right down to, he advised Sky Sports activities RL: “I think it’s just the players really enjoying themselves. This year I’ve definitely found my footing as the head coach, what works for me and what works best for the players.
“The gamers are simply going on the market, expressing themselves and having enjoyable. They’re adapting to what’s in entrance of them, and it is a massive testomony to how they’ve purchased into what we’re doing. But it surely’s all right down to the gamers.
“Final 12 months was my first 12 months as sole head coach, and typically I felt like I wanted to be on the pitch once I wasn’t, and it was getting that stability proper. This 12 months, I’ve actually stepped again from the on-pitch operation, and actually put my belief and religion within the gamers in the course of the recreation.
“It was tricky, but this year I feel like I’ve really figured out what it is to be a head coach, and how I want to be a head coach as well.”
When requested if there is likely to be a threat of complacency heading right into a one-off recreation of such large significance, Simpson was assured his gamers would have the ability to deal with the strain of the Grand Closing.
“To be honest, we’ve treated every single game as an individual game and we’re looking to this weekend as it’s just another game,” he stated.
“That’s how we’ve been this year. We’ve been so relaxed, so chilled out. Going into every game like it’s a one-and-done kind of feel.
Rhinos head coach James Simpson was filled with reward for his gamers, and was assured there could be no threat of complacency
“We’re not building it up, or getting emotional. We’re not using buzzwords about what it is. We just want to get out there and play.”
The Panthers’ Wayne Boardman was named Wheelchair Coach of the Yr on Tuesday, and he advised Sky Sports activities he’s anticipating one other nerve-shreddingly tight contest.
The player-coach added his facet is not going to be daunted by Leeds’ unbeaten run and season, pointing to the very fact his facet maintain the sting in Grand Closing head-to-heads as a possible psychological benefit.
“Everybody’s excited. We’re back here again for another Rhinos vs Panthers final. It’s going to be good,” Boardman stated.
“It’s always a close game. Leeds have beat us twice this season, and both were decided in the last five minutes of the game.
“It’ll be one other nail-biting last I consider.
Halifax Panthers coach Wayne Boardman gained the Wheelchair Coach of the Yr Award on Tuesday night time, and stated of the Grand Closing: ‘Something can occur’
“[Leeds’ unbeaten run] may be in the back of our minds going into the game, but in terms of Grand Final victories, we pip them, so maybe that’s in the back of their minds.
“They’ve had an excellent season, been very constant and you may’t take that away from them. However this can be a Grand Closing, and something can occur.”
How to watch the Wheelchair Super League Grand Final
The Wheelchair Super League Grand Final takes place at the Allam Sports Centre in Hull on Sunday October 13, live on Sky Sports+.
The match will take place at 5.30pm, with coverage on Sky Sports from 5pm.
“If you wish to watch gladiators in a wheelchair, come and watch the Grand Closing,” Boardman told Sky Sports.
Simpson told Sky Sports: “It is ace. Wheelchair rugby league is simply implausible, and anybody who watches it, whether or not you are impartial, a rugby league fan, or know nothing in regards to the sport, once you see folks in wheelchairs transferring, hitting strains, catching and passing the ball whereas there’s one other steel chair flying at them, it is only a implausible spectacle.
“It surprises a lot of people when they see it, how good it is. You’ll be watching first and second in the table on Sunday, so you’re definitely in for a good game when you have the two top teams going at it.”
Find out how to watch the Tremendous League Grand Closing
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Wigan Warriors star participant Bevan French seems to be forward to Saturday’s Grand Closing towards Hull KR at Outdated Trafford and the way he’s relishing arising towards Mikey Lewis
The Tremendous League Grand Closing takes place at Outdated Trafford on Saturday October 12, stay on Sky Sports activities.
The match will happen at 6pm, with protection on Sky Sports activities from 5pm.
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Sky Sports activities’ Jenna Brooks and Jon Wilkin sit up for the Tremendous League Grand Closing between Wigan Warriors and Hull KR at Outdated Trafford with a particular eye on the mouthwatering match-up between Lewis and French
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