Sinfield is the most successful captain in Leeds’ history and has lifted the Super League trophy six times.
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The former Melbourne Storm and Newcastle Knights prop joined Rhinos in July and has already won a Challenge Cup final and been part of the team which clinched the League Leaders’ Shield.
Wigan will meet Leeds in the Old Trafford showpiece, a replay of the inaugural final in 1998, and there will be no shortage of emotion for the Yorkshire side as they strive for a fairytale ending to Jamie Peacock, Kevin Sinfield and Kylie Leuleui’s Rhino’s careers.
“I’ve had so many memorable moments at this field but getting the win this weekend is easier said than done. We want to make up for it not just for ourselves but for the fans as well”.
He said: “There would be no better way to bow out”. When the (Carnegie) announcement was made in March you have an idea of how you want to finish and finishing here with the trophy would be brilliant.
I’m expecting Wigan to stretch that to 3-1 by the time the final hooter sounds in Manchester.
Joe Burgess will head off to the Sydney Roosters in the NRL next season but there is one last important piece of business to take care of – the Super League Grand Final.
“For Leeds, Rob Burrow’s going to make his usual impact from the bench, whilst Danny McGuire and Zak Hardaker are also at the top of their games now”.
Rhinos sealed victory with a last minute try from Callum Watkins to seal their Grand Final place.
“I saw him coming through as a young kid at Leeds when I was coming to the end of my career, and I could see from the start he was a very impressive player”.
“The likes of Darren Fleary, Anthony Farrell, Moz (Adrian Morley), Barrie Mac (McDermott) – although he didn’t play in the final – and Marc Glanville”.
“That’s one of the main reasons I went – to grow up – and it has been good for me.
I just want to be remembered as an honest player who got the best out of himself on big occasions”.
That is certainly true; looking at the only previous three Leeds players to win it since its inception – David Ward, Garry Schofield and Iestyn Harris – they are all legends but throw in Ellery Hanley, Shaun Edwards, Martin Offiah, Andy Farrell and Paul Sculthorpe and the picture becomes clear.
There was also praise for Sinfield from beaten Saints coach Kieron Cunningham who said: “Kevin is an experienced campaigner who has played a million games”.
On the prospect of winning the treble, Sinfield added: ‘It’s obviously unique because not many teams have been able to do it and in my 19 seasons playing at the Rhinos we’ve never had an opportunity to do it before which shows how special it is.
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“As for where it’d rank for me, it’s probably best answering that after the game because you don’t know what will happen but it’d be right up there”.
