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Rugby League

Anderson admits Saints were outplayed in Grand Final

05/10/2008

St Helens coach Daniel Anderson admitted his team were "outplayed" by Leeds Rhinos in the Super League Grand Final.

Anderson was coaching Saints for the final time before returning to Australia but felt his spell in England had been well spent, despite suffering defeat to Leeds in the final for the second consecutive season.

The Saints coach felt his side had not performed to their full capabilities, especially in the first half and were then forced to chase the game.

He told Sky Sports: "We were outplayed in the first half, that was the key to it.

"That was a marker put in the sand by Leeds which meant that we were kicking off the back foot constantly in the first half. Leeds did it better than us the whole game."

Although Saints scored a try inside the first six minutes it was all Leeds after that. In the second half every time Saints pulled to within a score of their opponents the Rhinos responded with the next try.

Anderson gave credit to the Rhinos for their display but was disappointed his team had not defended better.

He said: "Second half we had a dig but we just weren't quite on the pace and Leeds took their opportunity.

"We didn't tackle that well, we missed some, and it was difficult tonight. Every time we got a sniff Leeds hit back very quickly to take away any confidence."

Anderson added that it had been a "huge privilege" to coach Saints during his three-and-a-half-years at the club. The Australian has led Saints to nine trophies during that period.