Leeds Rhinos captain Luke Gale hails ‘fantastic’ Challenge Cup final victory

LIFTING THE Coral Challenge Cup at Wembley, with his home city club, was “beyond belief” for captain Luke Gale – and he believes it could be the first of many triumphs by Leeds Rhinos’ new-look team.
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Gale kicked the winning drop goal, four minutes from time, in Rhinos’ 17-16 victory over Salford Red Devils.

It was the 32-year-old’s debut win in a major final, ended Rhinos’ three-year trophy drought and was the first time they had collected silverware since the end of their golden generation.

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“I knew coming to Leeds they had a young squad and it would be a work in progress,” the 2017 Man of Steel said.

Leeds Rhinos captain Luke Gale celebrates his side's victory over Salford in the Coral Challenge Cup final. Picture: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.Leeds Rhinos captain Luke Gale celebrates his side's victory over Salford in the Coral Challenge Cup final. Picture: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.
Leeds Rhinos captain Luke Gale celebrates his side's victory over Salford in the Coral Challenge Cup final. Picture: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

“It still is, but the spirit we have is fantastic and to win a Challenge Cup in my first year has probably surpassed all expectations.

“It was probably never meant to be, but it’s fantastic and I think the journey we’re going to go on with this team is going to be a great one.”

Gale began his career in Leeds’ academy, but – with his path blocked by Danny McGuire and Rob Gale – moved on and had spells with Doncaster, Harlequins, Bradford Bulls and Castleford Tigers – before returning to Emerald Headingley a year ago.

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“I wanted to come back,” recalled Gale, who missed the whole of last season because of an Achilles injury.

Luke Gale lifts the Coral Challenge Cup following Leeds Rhinos' 17-16 victory over Salford Red Devils at Wembley Stadium. Picture: Michael Steele/Getty Images.Luke Gale lifts the Coral Challenge Cup following Leeds Rhinos' 17-16 victory over Salford Red Devils at Wembley Stadium. Picture: Michael Steele/Getty Images.
Luke Gale lifts the Coral Challenge Cup following Leeds Rhinos' 17-16 victory over Salford Red Devils at Wembley Stadium. Picture: Michael Steele/Getty Images.

“Leeds had had two barren years since the 2017 Grand Final and I wanted to get them back where they belong.

“That was part of it, having a young squad. Those blokes in there will run through a brick wall for you.

“I’m honoured to lead the boys out [at Wembley], it was the best moment of my career up to press and hopefully it’s the first of many.”

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Of Leeds’ Wembley 17, only Gale, Matt Prior and Adam Cuthbertson are aged over 30 and Gale insisted: “It is a young team, we’re only going to get better.

Leeds Rhinos legend Rob Burrow appears on the big screen before the Challenge Cup final yesterday. Picture: Ed Sykes/SWpix.com.Leeds Rhinos legend Rob Burrow appears on the big screen before the Challenge Cup final yesterday. Picture: Ed Sykes/SWpix.com.
Leeds Rhinos legend Rob Burrow appears on the big screen before the Challenge Cup final yesterday. Picture: Ed Sykes/SWpix.com.

“We are a new team and what [coach] Rich Agar has done for this team is fantastic, he is a bit of an unsung hero.

“He makes it enjoyable coming training every day. He took over in a bit of a bad patch for Leeds, they got dished up by Bradford not much longer than a year ago in the Challenge Cup and to go on from there and win the Challenge Cup the next year shows what a great job he has done.

“He won’t take any credit for that, but I’m going to give him that credit.

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“He has so much belief in the young boys and in us and I’m massively proud of him.”

Lance Todd trophy winner Richie Myler is challenged by Tui Lolohea of Salford Red Devils. Picture: Michael Steele/Getty Images.Lance Todd trophy winner Richie Myler is challenged by Tui Lolohea of Salford Red Devils. Picture: Michael Steele/Getty Images.
Lance Todd trophy winner Richie Myler is challenged by Tui Lolohea of Salford Red Devils. Picture: Michael Steele/Getty Images.

Gale said before the game Rhinos wanted to win it for their former number seven, Burrow, who is battling motor neurone disease.

“It’s heroic how he is and his mindset – and his family’s – so I hope we put a smile on his face,” Gale said.

“I know he’ll have been watching and it’s fitting I’ve got the number seven jersey exactly as he did.

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“How good was he at Leeds? He led by example and it’s a fitting tribute. I’m proud to wear that number seven jersey.”

The skipper also paid tribute to Richie Myler, the man he replaced as Rhinos’ first-choice half-back.

Myler has since reinvented himself as a full-back and won the Lance Todd Trophy as Saturday’s man of the match.

“Rich has been getting better and better at full-back,” Gale said.

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“That performance was fantastic, he has been an integral part of our team and I love playing with him.

“The combination we’ve got going is great and he pops up out the back on that left edge and is always a threat.

“From a player who probably didn’t have the best year last year, to come and win the Lance Todd and the Challenge Cup final, I’ve every admiration for him.

“I presented his jersey [the night before the final] in the hotel and I was honoured to do so.

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“I think what he has done this year has been fantastic. His mindset has been great and I applaud him.”

Gale’s one-pointer was the third time he has kicked a winning drop goal in only 15 games for Leeds, but he admitted the result was too close for comfort.

“I wish it was a bit easier than that, I don’t need too many more of those,” he said.

“It was a tough game, you know coming into a final it won’t be easy and there was drama all the way.

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“I thought we started the game well and we played the second half terrible. We completed one in the first five sets and we made it tough.

“Credit to Salford, they are gritty, determined and at one point I thought we’d kind of thrown it away, but it has happened a few times this year; we’ve gone behind and we’ve had the belief in the team to come back.

“I can remember Huddersfield going 26-6 up and we still got the win so the belief in this camp is fantastic.

“It went our way and I’m overjoyed.”

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