Leon Pryce of St. Helens misses out on 10th Grand Final appearance - Rugby News
On Thursday, October 6, St. Helens named their 19-man squad without Leon Pryce on board against Leeds Rhinos in contention for the Saturday night’s Engage Super League Grand Final showdwon at Old Trafford.
Pryce has been dropped out of the final pick for the Saturday night’s duel because he had been out of practice for quite some time because of his groin injury which was sustained earlier this season. His return was expected for the semi-final clash against
Wigan Warriors, on Friday, September 30, but a stomach illness restricted him from participating in the clash.
Pryce’s untimely injuries have hampered his full participation with Saints during the current season. Most of the time he was not part of team and has only eight matches to his credit for Saints this season.
Saint’s coach, Royce Simmons, wishes to march into the Helens sixth consecutive Grand Final appearance with a formidable force, which explains the final pick with special attention to details.
Pryce case was also subjected to thorough evaluation before the decision about his omission was reached. The player had not been part of the matches for quite some time, which was the contributing factor in the coach’s reluctance for his uptake.
Saints’ coach’s decision to tread into the match without him, has shattered his dreams of making his 10th Grand Final appearnace for his long-time franchise . So far the prop has made nine out of the total thirteen Grand Final appearnces since
their introduction in1998, which is a record of its own. With this announcement, the prop has missed out on the golden opportunity to strech his Grand Final-appearnce record to 10. However, full-back of Saints, Pual Wellens and Leeds’s Jamie Peacock will level
up with Pryce’s current record after Saturday’s battle.
Simmons’ pick has been disheartening for the prop as he will join Catalan Dragons on a three-year deal, which means that if he was to make a record of ten Grand Final appearances for Saints, the possibilty is long gone.
The opportunity of upgrading his record to ten has been missed out twice. Last year, he also sat off- field because of a neck injury.
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