2012 Super League Grand Final

The 2012 Super League Grand Final was the 15th official Grand Final and conclusive and championship-deciding match of the Super League XVII season. The match was held on Saturday 6 October 2012, at Old Trafford, Manchester, and was contested by English clubs Leeds Rhinos and Warrington Wolves. The 2012 Grand Final was a repeat of the 2012 Challenge Cup Final, in which Warrington beat Leeds 35-18 at Wembley Stadium,[2] although it was Leeds who would win the Super League Grand Final, winning 26-18.[3]

2012 (2012) Super League Grand Final  ()
12 Total
LEE 1412 26
WAR 144 18
Date6 October 2012
StadiumOld Trafford
LocationEngland Manchester
Harry Sunderland TrophyEngland Kevin Sinfield ( Leeds Rhinos)
JerusalemHayley Westenra
RefereeRichard Silverwood[1]
Attendance70,676
Broadcast partners
Broadcasters
Commentators
← 2011
2013 →

The progress of the two teams competing in the match were decided by results in the Super League XVII play-offs.

Background

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Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts[4]
2   Warrington Wolves 27 20 1 6 909 539 +370 41
5   Leeds Rhinos 27 16 0 11 823 622 +209 32

Route to the Final

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Leeds Rhinos

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As in 2011, Leeds Rhinos finished the regular season in 5th place, meaning the team started their play-off campaign in the elimination play-off, where they met West Yorkshire rivals Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, playing in their first play-off campaign at Headingley Carnegie Stadium. Leeds won the game 42-20 with Ben Jones-Bishop scoring a hat-trick and Danny McGuire becoming the all-time leading try-scorer in the Super League history.[5]

In the Preliminary Semi Final, Leeds would meet the lowest-placed loser from the Qualification play-off games, Catalans Dragons in the south of France, who they would beat 27-20, thanks to five goals from Kevin Sinfield and a drop goal from McGuire.[6] That result booked Leeds' place in the Qualifying Semi-Final and the club call. Wigan Warriors were the team that were given the decision and chose Leeds. The match at the DW Stadium was won 13-12 by Leeds, despite Wigan scoring more tries (two to Leeds' one). Leeds reached the Grand Final, thanks to the boot of Kevin Sinfield, who kicked four goals, including the conversion to Kallum Watkins' try, and a first-half drop goal.[7]

Leeds
Round Opposition Score
Elimination Play-Off   Wakefield Trinity (H) 42-20
Preliminary Semi-Final   Catalans Dragons (A) 27-20
Semi-Final   Wigan Warriors (A) 13-12
Key: (H) = Home venue; (A) = Away venue.

Warrington Wolves

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Warrington's 2012 play-off campaign did not get off to a good start, as they lost 28-6 to St. Helens, despite having home advantage in the Qualifying play-off game following their 2nd place league finish. Tommy Makinson was Saints's most influential player in the game, scoring 16 points from two tries and kicking four goals.[8]

The defeat meant Warrington would have to compete in the Preliminary Semi-Final round but would once again play at home at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, this time against Hull FC. Warrington would race into a 24-point lead before winning the 24-12 to reach the Preliminary Semi Final.[9] Following Wigan's club call decision, Warrington were re-united against St Helens, this time at Langtree Park. The reverse of the fixture also meant a reverse of luck for Warrington, who would gain revenge for the defeat earlier in the play-offs by winning 36-18 to reach their ever Grand Final.[10] It also sees coach Tony Smith become the first coach to reach the Super Grand Final with two different clubs, the other club being Warrington's opponent, Leeds Rhinos.

Warrington
Round Opposition Score
Qualifying Play-Off   St Helens (H) 28-6
Preliminary Semi-Final   Hull F.C. (H) 24-12
Semi-Final   St Helens (A) 36-18
Key: (H) = Home venue; (A) = Away venue.

Match details

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6 October 2012
18:00 BST
Leeds Rhinos   26–18   Warrington Wolves
Tries
Sinfield   18'
Jones-Bishop   28'
Ablett   60'
Hall   71'
Goals
Sinfield 18', 24', 28', 60', 71'
Report
Tries
Myler   3'
J.Monaghan   37'
Atkins   45'
Goals
Hodgson 3', 37', 40'
Old Trafford, Manchester
Attendance: 70,676
Referee: Richard Silverwood
Player of the Match: Kevin Sinfield
Leeds Rhinos Position Warrington Wolves
4   Zak Hardaker Fullback 1   Brett Hodgson
2   Ben Jones-Bishop Winger 5   Joel Monaghan
3   Kallum Watkins centre 19   Stefan Ratchford
12   Carl Ablett centre 4   Ryan Atkins
5   Ryan Hall Winger 2   Chris Riley
13   Kevin Sinfield (c) Stand Off 6   Lee Briers
6   Danny McGuire scrum-half 7   Richie Myler
8   Kylie Leuluai prop 20   Chris Hill
7   Rob Burrow Hooker 14   Mickey Higham
10   Jamie Peacock prop 13   Ben Harrison
11   Jamie Jones-Buchanan 2nd Row 11   Trent Waterhouse
15   Brett Delaney 2nd Row 12   Ben Westwood
16   Ryan Bailey loose forward 15   Simon Grix
17   Ian Kirke Interchange 8   Adrian Morley (c)
20   Darrell Griffin 9   Michael Monaghan
25   Stevie Ward 16   Paul Wood
31   Shaun Lunt 17   Michael Cooper
  Brian McDermott Coach   Tony Smith

References

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  1. ^ "Silverwood in charge at Old Trafford". Super League. 2 October 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  2. ^ "Leeds Rhinos 18-35 Warrington Wolves". RFL. Challenge Cup. Archived from the original on 5 February 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  3. ^ "Grand Final: Warrington 18-26 Leeds". BBC Sport. 6 October 2012. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
  4. ^ "Stobart Super League - League Table". Super League. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  5. ^ "Leeds 42-20 Wakefield". BBC Sport. 11 September 2012. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  6. ^ "Catalan Dragons 20-27 Leeds Rhinos". BBC Sport. 20 September 2012. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  7. ^ "Wigan Warriors 12-13 Leeds Rhinos". BBC Sport. 25 September 2012. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  8. ^ "Warrington 6-28 St Helens". BBC Sport. 11 September 2012. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  9. ^ "Warrington Wolves 24-12 Hull FC". BBC Sport. 17 September 2012. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  10. ^ "St Helens 18-36 Warrington". BBC Sport. 25 September 2012. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
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