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Rugby League

Smith pays tribute to his Leeds players

13/10/2007

Departing Leeds Rhinos coach Tony Smith paid tribute to his players after they were crowned Super League champions with a 33-6 victory over St Helens in the Grand Final at Old Trafford.

Smith is leaving the Rhinos to take over as full-time Great Britain coach and the Australian revealed he was confident all week that his side would beat the much fancied St Helens.

"I am not being conceited but I knew this week we were going to do it," said Smith. "The players have practised well and I think it was good for us to play last week.

"That is the fourth time this year we have kept Saints to no score in a half. I'm really pleased for the players, they have worked so hard and deserve it. We timed our run and I'm proud and pleased for them."

St Helens coach Daniel Anderson reflected on his team's quest for a consecutive treble and admitted that maybe the huge number of games his team had to play over the past two seasons finally took its toll on his players.

"When you are down by 13 points with ten minutes left the weight of 70 games played over two years was starting to weigh heavily on the players' legs," said Anderson.

"In the end, they were very athletic and shut down most of the things we did and when their opportunities came they took them."

It has been a gruelling season for both sets of players, but for many it is not over yet as the large number of Great Britain and New Zealand players in the Leeds and St Helens squad have to now prepare for a three Test series between the two countries.