17 October 2012
Last updated at
14:18 GMT
Wigan Warriors winger Josh Charnley ends the regular Super League season as the top scorer with 31 tries. Team-mate Sam Tomkins is second with 28 as Shaun Wane's side top the table
Undoubtedly, the biggest story of the season is the financial troubles suffered by four-time Super League champions Bradford Bulls. The club go into administration and, after a long process, local businessman Omar Khan takes over as owner. The Bulls suffer a six-point deduction and miss out on a play-off spot
The St Helens players have shown plenty of fight this season after Royce Simmons was sacked and replaced by Mick Rush and Keiron Cunningham. The pair lead the Saints to a third-placed finish
Huddersfield Giants start in style with wins over St Helens and Leeds Rhinos, but a run of one victory in nine games means they tumble down the table. Coach Nathan Brown announces he is to become the new boss at St Helens next season
Warrington Wolves have another superb season, finishing second in the Super League table and winning the Challenge Cup for the third time in four seasons after victory over Leeds Rhinos
It has been a disappointing season for Leeds Rhinos, who lost a third consecutive Challenge Cup final, and they will have to repeat the achievement of last season to win the Grand Final having finished outside the top three
Widnes Vikings (in red) finish bottom of the table on their return to Super League, as a late-flurry from London Broncos inspired by the return of Tony Rea as head coach hands Dennis Betts' side the wooden spoon.
Super League minor premiers Wigan Warriors are pitched against fourth-placed Catalan Dragons in the play-offs, and prove too strong for the hotly-tipped Perpignan club. George Carmont's hat-trick grabs the headlines, but it is the combination of Tommy Leuluai and Brett Finch at half-back that guides Shaun Wane's side to the eliminator semis. Catalan would have a second chance - facing the winner of Leeds-Wakefield.
With six finals appearances in as many years, St Helens had play-off pedigree and it proved vital as they overcame Super League runners-up Warrington to book their semis spot. Brett Hodgson's converted try gave Wire the lead, but a 16-point haul from wing Tommy Makinson helped Saints record 28 unanswered points. Warrington's hopes rested on a eliminator against either Hull or Huddersfield on home soil.
Wakefield, inspired by stand-off Paul Sykes, won their last seven games of the regular season to snatch a play-off place at the expense of Hull KR, and reigning champions Leeds Rhinos were among their scalps. However the Wildcats saw their play-off dreams ended at the home of the Rhinos, in a 42-20 defeat in which the scoreline failed to reflect the competitiveness of the game. Leeds' hopes of a repeat of 2011 were alive, although a trip to Catalans stood between them and a semi spot.
Hull came into the play-offs having ran in 106 points in their last two regular season matches, and they continued their try-scoring exploits with a 46-10 victory at the KC Stadium. Huddersfield, who had led Super League earlier in the campaign, were left to build for 2013 as Tom Briscoe and Jamie Foster scored a brace apiece among the eight Airlie Birds tries.
Warrington deliver the perfect response to derby defeat by St Helens by ending Hull's three-match unbeaten run in a 24-12 victory at the Halliwell-Jones. For an hour the Wire were irresistible, racking up a 24-0 lead but late consolation tries from Tom Briscoe and Ben Crooks gave the Black and Whites something to cheer. Wire were now 80 minutes from a first Super League-era final, while Hull FC had much to look forward in 2013 with a string of new signings including England second-row Gareth Ellis.
Leeds Rhinos travel to Catalan Dragons' Stade Gilbert Brutus on a Friday night, a ground they have failed to win at on the last two occasions, but turn in a professional performance to reach the semi-finals with a 27-20 victory. The experience of Danny McGuire and Kevin Sinfield proves vital, although the former is suspended after a swinging arm tackle. Catalans will rebuild without Trent Robinson in 2013 after he heads back to Sydney Roosters in the Australian NRL.
For the second season running Leeds, finishing fifth, are selected by the Super League regular season champions in the controversial 'Clubcall' system, and again the Rhinos come out on top. For Warrington in 2011, read Wigan in 2012, as the seemingly unbeatable Warriors are edged out 13-12 at the DW Stadium. Sam Tomkins is a big miss, and despite an impressive display his replacement Jack Murphy spills a kick late on that eventually leads to the winning penalty kicked by the ice-cool Kevin Sinfield. Leeds return to the final for a sixth year in seven.
Warrington book their first Super League Grand Final place at the expense of Saints, who have figured in the last six. It is a see-saw night at Langtree Park, eventually settled by a terrific second-half display by the Wolves inspired by second-row Trent Waterhouse. Saints coach Mike Rush will make way for Nathan Brown in 2013, but is proud of his side's efforts, while for Wire counterpart Tony Smith a first double of Super League and Challenge Cup in his career awaits.
Old Trafford is packed for the Super League Grand Final between Leeds Rhinos and Warrington Wolves in a repeat of the 2012 Challenge Cup final. Wolves head coach Tony Smith was a winner on this ground with the Rhinos in 2004 and 2007 before departing. Brian McDermott - the current incumbent of the role - was a winner in 2011 during his first season at Headingley.
Warrington make the brighter start as Richie Myler touches down after just four minutes. Brett Hodgson converts to put Wire 6-0 up.
However Leeds pull level, thanks to 'Captain Fantastic' Kevin Sinfield. He takes in a looping offload from Carl Ablett to touchdown in the corner, and then steps up to convert his own try. Game on.
Leeds went ahead when Sinfield kicked a penalty for the Rhinos.
Ben Jones-Bishop steals in for a try after Danny McGuire switches the ball right, and the wing has the pace to put Rhinos further ahead. Leeds are now 14-6 up after Sinfield converts.
Joel Monaghan's try brings Warrington back into the game after he takes in Lee Briers' whipped pass to the right and when Hodgson converts the score and kicks a late first-half penalty, Warrington are level at the break - 14-14.
England centre Ryan Atkins scored first after the break, capitalising on good work from Richie Myler and Brett Hodgson to power his way over. Warrington now 18-14 up after Hodgson fails to land the conversion.
The lead lasted less than quarter of an hour, as Leeds Rhinos centre Carl Ablett pushes his way over the tryline to pull the score level. Sinfield again steps up to put his side two points up.
Ryan Hall made sure of the victory, finishing off a flowing right-to-left move to touchdown in the corner, and ensure the Rhinos retained their crown. Leeds Rhinos 26-18 Warrington Wolves.
Kevin Sinfield lifted the trophy for Leeds - his sixth Grand Final triumph. He also picked up his second career Harry Sunderland Trophy for a man of the match display.
Jamie Peacock enjoyed his personal eighth Super League Grand Final success in 10 appearances. Five of the wins have come with the Rhinos, in addition to three with Bradford.
Leeds Rhinos celebrated their sixth Super League Grand Final success at Old Trafford to cap off a thrilling season of rugby league. The reward for McDermott's side is a World Club Challenge fixture against NRL premiers Melbourne Storm in the new year.
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