Leeds Rhinos' epic story comes to life in new film

Premiered yesterday as part of the Leeds International Festival, As Good As It Gets? is, on the surface, an account of Rhinos’ epic 2015 season, when they won the treble of Challenge Cup, league leaders’ shield and Grand Final. But it goes deeper as a riveting insight into how Rhinos went from almost bankrupt to becoming the most successful club in the game two decades later.

At the heart of the story are star players – including Kevin Sinfield, Jamie Peacock, Rob Burrow, Danny McGuire, Kylie Leuluai, Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Zak Hardaker – alongside coach Brian McDermott and chief executive Gary Hetherington.

Their exploits on the field are well known, but in as As Good As It Gets? they really shine as human beings, a side of them fans rarely get to see. Peacock is utterly driven and his revelations of how much rugby league really hurts are fascinating. Sinfield is the model professional, Hardaker an endearing character prone to self-destructive mistakes and Jones-Buchanan the philosopher.

Talking heads dominate much of the movie, but it really takes off in the final half an hour when the focus turns to 2015 campaign’s incredible finale.

The result is unmissable entertainment, particularly for Rhinos fans, but with appeal for anyone interested in what really makes an elite sports team tick.