Jamie Peacock think Leeds Rhinos’ has no advantage in Final showdown
While talking to reporters on Thursday, October 6, Jamie Peacock said that according to him both Leeds Rhinos and St. Helens are equally deserving teams of Saturday’s Grand Final showdown title at Old Trafford.
Comparing the brilliant performances produced by the Grand Final teams, Peacock said, “Saints have put in two stellar performances to beat Wigan and we've had to play some good opposition as well. We might not have finished highest in the table but we're
definitely there on merit, on our performances over the last four or five weeks.”
Peacock’s profile has been studded with three Grand Final winning performances with Bradford before he moved to Leeds. However, the veteran has also tasted defeat twice at the final showdown, which explains the mixed feelings he holds for the match-up.
Peacock along with Paul Wellens of Leeds, is going to level his record of making nine Grand Final appearances with Leon Pryce. Pryce was eyeing the extension of his record with Saints but their coach, Royce Simmons, ended his dream of converting the record
into ten appearances.
Simmons has left the experienced player out of his final pick for tomorrow’s game because the player was part of only eight matches in his injury-prone season. Jonny Lomax and Lee Gaskell are the two latest uptakes in Simmons’ outfit.
While speaking about the psychological advantage of Leeds because of their three consecutive wins over Saints, the player added, "The past will have no bearing this weekend. We've got good associations and happy memories of this place but it seems like different
eras.There are two different coaches and a few different players as well."
In the 19-man squad of Saints, seven players are making their Grand Final debut.
Both sides will bid farewell to some of their players after the match, which will have an emotional toll on their respective teams. Tomorrow’s clash will see off Danny Buderus of Leeds, James Graham co-captain of Saints and Pryce.
Buderus has made a career move to spend his remaining playing year with his home town club, Newcastle Knights, in the National Rugby League (NRL), whereas Pryce has agreed to a three-year deal with Catalan Dragons starting from 2012 season.
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