Leeds Rhinos will look to shut out a shocking unbeaten season in Sunday’s Wheelchair Tremendous League Grand Ultimate, stay on Sky Sports activities, however should beat fierce rivals and two-time champions Halifax Panthers to take action.Â
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, nonetheless, and have crushed the Panthers twice up to now this yr in an everyday season marketing campaign which has seen the Rhinos stay unbeaten.
When it comes to what Leeds head coach James Simpson places their success right down to, he informed 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 large testomony to how they’ve purchased into what we’re doing. However it’s all right down to the gamers.
“Final yr was my first yr as sole head coach, and typically I felt like I wanted to be on the pitch after I wasn’t, and it was getting that stability proper. This yr, I’ve actually stepped again from the on-pitch operation, and actually put my belief and religion within the gamers through 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 may be a threat of complacency heading right into a one-off recreation of such large significance, Simpson was assured his gamers would be capable to deal with the stress of the Grand Ultimate.
“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 stuffed with reward for his gamers, and was assured there can 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 informed Sky Sports activities he’s anticipating one other nerve-shreddingly tight contest.
The player-coach added his aspect won’t be daunted by Leeds’ unbeaten run and season, pointing to the very fact his aspect maintain the sting in Grand Ultimate 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 is going to be one other nail-biting closing I imagine.
Halifax Panthers coach Wayne Boardman gained the Wheelchair Coach of the Yr Award on Tuesday evening, and stated of the Grand Ultimate: ‘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’ll’t take that away from them. However it is a Grand Ultimate, 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 Ultimate,” Boardman told Sky Sports.
Simpson told Sky Sports: “It is ace. Wheelchair rugby league is simply improbable, and anybody who watches it, whether or not you are impartial, a rugby league fan, or know nothing concerning the sport, if you see individuals in wheelchairs shifting, hitting traces, catching and passing the ball whereas there’s one other metallic chair flying at them, it is only a improbable 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.”
The right way to watch the Tremendous League Grand Ultimate
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Wigan Warriors star participant Bevan French appears forward to Saturday’s Grand Ultimate towards Hull KR at Previous Trafford and the way he’s relishing arising towards Mikey Lewis
The Tremendous League Grand Ultimate takes place at Previous 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 Ultimate between Wigan Warriors and Hull KR at Previous Trafford with a particular eye on the mouthwatering match-up between Lewis and French
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