This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedia's deletion policy. Please share your thoughts on the matter at this article's deletion discussion page. |
To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Grand Final, the RFL challenged fans to name their ultimate starting line-up made up of players who have played in previous Grand Finals. Thousands of people took part with the aim of trying to match as many names as possible to those selected by a panel of experts that included Sky Sports’ commentator Stevo, the Independent’s Dave Hadfield, League Weekly’s Danny Lockwood and League Express’ Martyn Sadler.
This team was chosen before the Leeds Rhinos' victory over St. Helens in the 2007 Grand Final, and is based on player's performances in previous grand finals.
The Ultimate 13 Grand Final team reflects the success which St. Helens and Bradford Bulls have had in reaching the Grand Final since its inception in 1998. The Bulls are represented by six former players which include Jamie Peacock who played in the 2007 final with Leeds Rhinos.
Number | Nationality | Player | Position | Club They Played In The Grand Final With |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Paul Wellens | Full back | St. Helens | |
2 | Jason Robinson | Winger | Wigan Warriors | |
3 | Jamie Lyon | Centre | St. Helens | |
4 | Michael Withers | Centre | Bradford Bulls | |
5 | Lesley Vainikolo | Winger | Bradford Bulls | |
6 | Henry Paul | Stand off | Bradford Bulls | |
7 | Sean Long | Scrum half | St. Helens | |
8 | Stuart Fielden | Prop | Bradford Bulls | |
9 | James Lowes | Hooker | Bradford Bulls | |
10 | Apollo Perelini | Prop | St. Helens | |
11 | Chris Joynt | Second row | St. Helens | |
12 | Jamie Peacock | Second row | Bradford Bulls | |
13 | Andy Farrell | Loose forward | Wigan Warriors |
The Leeds Rhinos are a professional rugby league club in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. The club was formed in 1870 as Leeds St John's and play in the Super League, the top tier of English rugby league. They have played home matches at Headingley Stadium since 1890.
Robert Rawiri Hunter-Paul is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer. He has since become a business owner and television pundit, running Xtra Mile Marketing, an inbound and digital marketing company. Robbie retired from playing at the end of the 2011 season following a 19-season career with the Bradford Bulls, Harlequin FC, Huddersfield Giants, Salford City Reds and the Leigh Centurions. He then spent just under 2 years as business development manager at the Huddersfield Giants, and 3 years as CEO at the Bradford Bulls. Robbie played for the New Zealand Kiwis national team from 1997 - 2006. He is the younger brother of former New Zealand Kiwis and England Rugby player Henry Paul.
Leon Pryce is a professional rugby League coach who most recently coached Workington Town in League 1 and an English former professional rugby league footballer who played as a stand-off, wing, centre and fullback in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s.
Terry Newton was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s. He played at representative level for Great Britain, England and Lancashire, and at club level for the Leeds Rhinos, the Wigan Warriors, Bradford Bulls and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, and was one of a handful of players to feature in each of the first 15 seasons of Super League. In February 2010, he was given a two-year ban after being one of the first sportsmen to have tested positive for human growth hormone. He was found hanged in his home seven months later.
Paul Deacon is an English rugby union coach who is the head coach of the Sale Sharks in Premiership Rugby, and former a professional rugby league footballer and coach.
Stuart Fielden is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. He was formerly an assistant coach for the Huddersfield Giants in the Super League, and now is a Personal trainer of Fielden Fitness in Leeds. A Great Britain international representative forward, he played his club rugby for Bradford Bulls with whom he won the 2001, 2003 and 2005 Super League Championships, 2000 and 2003 Challenge cups and World Club championships in 2002, 2004, 2006 before he moved to Wigan Warriors for a record transfer fee in 2006, winning the 2010 Super League Championship with them. He then signed with Huddersfield Giants in 2013 but played only a handful of games (9) before injury forced him into retirement. Fielden won 2 individual awards of young player of the year (2000) and International best forward (2005).He was named in 4 super league and 4 International dream teams.
Michael Withers is a former Ireland international rugby league footballer who played as a fullback, wing and centre in the 1990s and 2000s. He played club football in Australia for the Balmain Tigers in the National Rugby League, and in England with the Wigan Warriors and the Bradford Bulls in the Super League.
The Super League Grand Final is the championship-deciding game of rugby league's Super League competition. It is played between two teams who have qualified via the Super League Play-Off series. The winning team receives the Super League Trophy and goes on to play the NRL champions in the World Club Challenge. The Harry Sunderland Trophy is awarded to the man of the match. The match is normally played at Old Trafford in Greater Manchester.
James Darryl Peacock MBE, is a motivational speaker, leadership mentor and former English professional rugby league footballer. He played for Leeds Rhinos and the Bradford Bulls in the Super League, and captained both Great Britain and England at international level. After retiring at the end of the 2015 season he became director of rugby at the Hull Kingston Rovers, but resumed his playing career towards the end of the 2016 season. His position of choice was prop, although he played much of his early career as a second-row. He is the most successful player in Super League history, having won a total of 9 Super League championships, 4 Challenge Cup winners medals, 4 World Club Challenge winners medals, twice named the Best Forward in the World, named in the Super League Dream Team on 11 occasions, won the Man of Steel award in 2003 and in 2021 awarded the MBE.
Brian G. McDermott is an English professional rugby league coach who was the head coach of Featherstone Rovers in the RFL Championship, resigning on 26 Sep 2022, after the loss to Batley Bulldogs. He is a former professional rugby league player.
Paul Simon Wellens is an English professional rugby league coach who is the head coach of St Helens in the Betfred Super League and a former professional rugby league footballer.
James Lowes is a former professional rugby league footballer, and coach. He played for Hunslet and Leeds, but arguably his best years were spent with the Bradford Bulls, where he won many trophies. He played there from 1996 to 2003.
Engage Super League XII is the official name for the year 2007's Super League season in the sport of rugby league.
Paul Clough, also known by the nickname of "Cloughy", is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays as a prop or second-row forward for Widnes Vikings in the RFL Championship and the England Knights at international level.
Lee Smith is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played as a goal-kicking centre, wing or fullback for the Bradford Bulls in Betfred League 1.
Luke Gale is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays as scrum-half or stand-off for Wakefield Trinity in the Betfred Super League. Gale has played for the England Knights and England at international level.
The 2012 Super League season was the 17th season of rugby league football since the Super League format was introduced in 1996. Fourteen teams competed for the League Leaders' Shield over 27 rounds, which was won by the Wigan Warriors. After the regular season, the 8 highest finishing teams entered the play-offs to compete for a place in the Grand Final and a chance to win the championship and the Super League Trophy.
James Bentley is an Ireland international rugby league footballer who plays as a second-row, loose forward or hooker for the Leeds Rhinos in the Super League.
The 2021 RFL Women's Super League was the fifth season of the Rugby League Women's Super League for female players in clubs affiliated to the Rugby Football League (RFL).