Rugby League Coaching Manuals

By Ian Laybourn Sporting Life - Leeds stand-off Danny McGuire is ready to renew his duel with England rival Leon Pryce and admits the result could have a crucial bearing on the outcome of Saturday's engage Super League Grand Final.

McGuire and Pryce, who was short-listed for Man of Steel, are the contenders to partner Rhinos scrum-half Rob Burrow in England's World Cup team, while former Great Britain star Sean Long will be another key performer at Old Trafford.

"The half-backs are the ones who probably determine the outcome of the game a little bit more anybody else, so whoever plays the best out of the half-backs at the weekend will have the big say in the game," said McGuire.

"It will be good to go up against Leon and Sean Long, who are two of the best half-backs in the competition.

"Leon's played great this year, he's probably been one of the best players in the competition.

"It's always nice to play against the best players. I enjoyed playing against Trent Barrett and played well against him last week."

That 18-14 victory over Barrett's Wigan in last Friday's final eliminator helped go some way towards restoring any confidence that may have been eroded by Leeds' 38-10 mauling by St Helens a week earlier.

McGuire insisted there was no panic after the qualifying semi-final defeat at Knowsley Road but admitted there were lessons to be learned.

"We just didn't turn up and got what we deserved against a great team, who were really clinical," he said.

"But we weren't too hard on ourselves because we know you don't become a bad team overnight.

"We were were really disappointed with how we performed and we had to look at ourselves and address a few things.

"We tweaked a few little things and we're really confident after the performance we put in against Wigan."

No Leeds team have ever managed to retain their title while St Helens, who go into Saturday's game as firm favourites, are the only club to manage it in the Super League era.

"We've got to see it as a challenge," McGuire added.

"It's something we set out to do at the start of the year. Most of the players in our squad have been involved in big games before so there is no reason to be nervous.

"Saints are a great side, full of international players - forwards who are strong and aggressive and they've got some great backs that can finish with some great tries.

"They're a great side all-round, like ourselves, so we're pretty evenly matched."

As expected, coach Brian McClennan has named an unchanged squad, with winger Lee Smith set to keep his place after avoiding suspension for striking in the match against Wigan.

Winger Ryan Hall and prop forward Luke Burgess are added to the team that beat Wigan.

Team (from): Webb, Donald, Senior, Smith, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Diskin, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Ellis, Sinfield (capt), Lauitiiti, Bailey, Scruton, Kirke, Ablett, Hall, Burgess.