Leeds Rhinos' top-10 moments - No 8 Rob Burrow's wonder try
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St Helens were defeated 32-16 in a thrilling title decider which will always be remembered for Burrow’s sensational, match-winning performance.
The number seven came off the bench after 26 minutes and eight later, he took possession at first receiver 50 metres from Saints’ line, stepped and ducked past Tony Puletua and Scott Moore, stepped again around Paul Wellens and dived over the line for a wonder try.
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Hide AdBurrow’s score is widely regarded as one of the greatest in any final, but the try he set up for Ryan Hall was just as good - the super-sub dashing out of dummy-half, fooling Francis Meli with a classic dummy and then offloading to the winger who finished brilliantly at the corner.
Burrow was a unanimous choice as man of the match, becoming the first player to win the Harry Sunderland award twice in the Super League era. Having finished fifth in the table, 13 points behind league leaders Warrington Wolves, Rhinos proved it is not how you start a season that counts, it’s the way you finish.
When Leeds suffered a dismal 38-18 defeat at Catalans Dragons in July - their third successive loss - it appeared they might not even qualify for the top-eight play-offs.
But that was a turning point and of their remaining 13 games that year, they won 11.
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Hide AdThe defeats were back-to-back, at Harlequins and - controversially - against Wigan Warriors in the Challenge Cup final.
No team had ever reached Old Trafford from outside the top-three on the league ladder and Leeds had to do it the hard way, beating Hull at home in the opening round of the play-offs before winning at Huddersfield Giants and then, against all the odds, defeating hosts Warrington in the qualifying semi-final.
Burrow’s try sent Leeds into half-time at OId Trafford 8-2 ahead.
Saints rallied to open 16-8 lead with 15 minutes left before touchdowns by Brent Webb, Hall, Carl Ablett and - on the final play - Zak Hardaker turned the final on its head.
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