Former New Zealand Warriors full-back Brent Webb kick-started a run of three tries in nine second-half minutes as Leeds inflicted a fourth Super League grand final defeat over St Helens in five years.
The 30-year-old, who made over 100 appearances for the Warriors, touched down in the 64th minute at Old Trafford as the Rhinos overturned a 16-8 deficit to win 32-16.
Rob Burrow's solo try ensured the Rhinos went in at the break 8-2 ahead however St Helens began the second half well with tries from Tom Makinson and Michael Shenton seemingly putting them in control.
However Ryan Hall, Carl Ablett and Zak Hardaker all followed Webb's lead in scoring as Leeds ran out comfortable winners in the end with Kevin Sinfield exceptional with the boot, kicking six goals.
The loss compounds a torrid time for St Helens in recent grand finals with the result not only its fourth defeat in five years to Leeds but fifth straight as well.
Both teams started at breakneck speed on a wet surface but it took more than 20 minutes for the deadlock to be broken courtesy of a Jamie Foster penalty.
Sinfield followed Foster's lead with a penalty of his own for the Rhinos minutes later before a moment of brilliance from Burrow saw Leeds open the scoring.
He wormed his way through the Saints defence drawing out namely Tony Puletua, who made over 200 NRL appearances for the Penrith Panthers, before storming over.
If the shutters were up for most of the first-half the second was a different story - Andrew Dixon looking as if he had scored St Helens first try six minutes in only for the video ref to think otherwise.
However the tide was turned minutes later as Makinson chased his own short kick inches from the try line and reached around a lacklustre Webb - the video ref this time calling in his favour.
Shenton crashed over six minutes later but despite two further goals from Foster making it 16-8 Webb made up for his earlier error scoring the first of four unanswered tries to set up the win.
The full-back made it 16-14 before another moment of brilliance from Burrow saw Leeds take the lead with Ablett adding to it, all in less than 10 minutes.
St Helens was now flagging and its Super League grand final misery was completed a minute before the final hooter as Hardaker broke through and Sinfield converted for the 32-16 win.
AFP
Tags: rugby-league, sport, england, united-kingdom First posted October 09, 2011 08:25:09
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