A-Z of Leeds Rhinos - 'G' is for...Guru

The Parramatta powerhouse played eight Tests from 1982-84, as well as 10 other games on the 1982 Kangaroo tour.

He made a huge impression on Leeds during the Aussies’ victory over the Loiners that year, particularly winger Alan Smith who he ran over the top of to score a spectacular try, one of 21 in 14 tour matches.

Two years later Leeds signed him for a short stint during the Aussie off-season and he scored a debut hat-trick against Leigh at Headingley on New Year’s Day, 1985.

Despite being given only limited opportunities, Grothe scored 14 tries in 16 games for Leeds.

Grothe - whose son Eric Junior earned one cap for Australia - also played State of Origin for New South Wales and featured in four Premiership wins with Parramatta before his career was cut short by knee ligament injuries.

‘G’ is also for...Grand Finals. Rhinos lost to Wigan Warriors in the inaugural 1998 Grand Final and were beaten by Bradford Bulls seven years later, but have come away victorious from Old Trafford on a record eight other occasions.

The win against Bradford in 2004 secured Leeds’ first title since 1972 and they went on to beat St Helens in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011, Warrington Wolves in 2012, Wigan in 2015 and Castleford Tigers three years ago.

Rhinos players hold individual Grand Final records for: most appearances (Jamie Peacock with 11, six of those for Leeds); most wins (Peacock, nine, six for Leeds); most appearances without defeat (Carl Ablett, seven); most wins and appearances as captain (Kevin Sinfield, eight appearances, seven wins); joint most points (Sinfield, 14 in 2012); oldest player (Peacock, 37 years, 300 days in 2015); oldest scorer ( Sinfield,35 years, 28 days in 2015); oldest man of the match (Danny McGuire, 34 years, 306 days in 201) and youngest winner (Jack Walker (18 years, 60 days in 2017).

‘G’ is also for... Golden generation. A total of 24 graduates from Rhinos’ academy system featured in their eight Old Trafford wins from 2004-2017.

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