Grand Final reaction: Final bow '˜special' for Burrow

He has played in all Rhinos’ Grand Final successes and retired after the 24-6 conquering of Castleford Tigers two days ago.

Burrow lifted the trophy alongside departing captain Danny McGuire and said winning as underdogs added to the sense of achievement.

“Cas were big favourites, but to perform that well against such a good side is special,” Burrow reflected. “We were determined to finish strong and I think we’d been building towards that over the last three or four weeks.

“We needed to find that form to beat Cas. Anything else we’d produced this season wouldn’t have been good enough.”

Rhinos have risen from ninth in the table last year and Burrow admitted they endured some dark days, but he added: “This group of players really believe in themselves.

“I think we took a lot out of last year being a really negative year and took a lot of positives out of that. We were determined right from the camp in North Yorkshire in the middle of winter – we stated some things we wanted to achieve and stuck to that.

“There is a sort of feeling of invincibility with this team. That’s not in any way arrogance, you just believe in yourselves.

“I think with us form is irrelevant, as long as you turn up and perform. It’s probably something Leeds have got over most teams, being able to play well here [Old Trafford].

“I’ve been very lucky to be involved with some special players. Just to win one trophy would have been something, but to have won the amount I have over my career is something I never expected.”

Burrow is joining Rhinos’ backroom staff and said his decision to retire will be final.

“I’m done,” he said. “I’ve really enjoyed my career, but I didn’t want to go on too long and I’m really happy to go out like this.

“You usually think about your last game in the off-season if it’s a poor one and the fact we won another trophy, I can remember this one forever.”

Rhinos will have a new skipper next season and Burrow, who has been McGuire’s deputy, revealed: “Stevie Ward would be my choice. He’s an absolutely fantastic player and a fantastic bloke as well.”