Outsiders tag suits Sinfield

4:37pm Saturday 4th October 2008

Leeds captain Kevin Sinfield says the engage Super League champions will relish the label of underdogs in Saturday night's Grand Final against St Helens.

The odds are stacked against the Rhinos following their 38-10 hammering by Saints a fortnight ago and the loss of star full-back Brent Webb through injury. But Leeds turned the tables on their arch-rivals a year ago with a 33-6 triumph, and Sinfield is confident they can do it again.

He said: "There are a lot of people who feel Saints' names are already on the cup and that's fine. I understand that from where we were two weeks ago."

He added: "But we've learnt a lot from that game and we're ready for this one. We needed the Wigan game (last Friday) to put that performance out of our minds. There was a lot of desire and determination to come through a pressure game like we did and it's put us in a great frame of mind."

Sinfield admits his side need to find a major improvement on their last meeting, in which he reckons they produced their worst performance of the season.

"We need to be a threat this time," he said. "We need to cause them some problems and ask them some questions. We didn't do that last time. We let Saints run all over us. I don't think we can play any worse than that."

Leeds' chances of retaining their title were dealt a major blow with the loss of Webb, who has suffered a recurrence of a back injury which also makes him a serious doubt for the World Cup.

Leeds coach Brian McClennan said: "We are all behind Brent at this time and he is bitterly disappointed to be missing out.

"It is probably the worst week in his sporting life. He is devastated to miss out on Old Trafford, having missed the Challenge Cup semi-final earlier in the year, and also possibly representing the Kiwis in the World Cup.

"He has wished the boys all the best and he will have to watch the game at home because he is in so much pain that he can not even sit down in comfort."

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