Rugby League is a team effort, but in finals and one-off spectacles, sometimes an individual can steal the show with a moment of brilliance. Take Rob Burrow's spectacular effort in 2011 or Jack Welsby's dramatic touchdown on the hooter, special players produce special moments when needed.
This week's Grand Final is no different, and there are several showstoppers in both St Helens and Leeds Rhinos' ranks. We take a look at the four key individual battles ahead of Saturday's Old Trafford showdown between the Saints and the Rhinos.
Matty Lees v Mikołaj Olędzki
These two will likely line up for England in the front row in next month's World Cup, but on Saturday night, the pair of bulldozing forwards will be going at each other with hammer and tong to dominate their opposing pack. In a Grand Final, the opening stages are always cagy, and teams normally adopt a one-up rugby system to warm into the contest, meaning Lees and Olędzki will be vital for their sides in the first quarter. Run hard, win the floor, and create a platform. That's what Kristian Woolf and Rohan Smith will be wanting from their leading props. Lees also has a big task to deliver what the absent Morgan Knowles and Alex Walmsley bring to the big occasions, as Saints' pack will be significantly weaker without the pair.
Read More: Remembering Leeds Rhinos' first Grand Final winning side and where they are now
James Roby v Jarrod O'Connor
This encounter probably is the most intriguing of the four. The veteran vs the new kid on the block with 15 years difference in age. Saints captain and legend James Roby will be gunning for the title after tasting defeat in his four previous Grand Final appearances against the Rhinos. The heartbeat of his side, Roby will try to assert dominance in and around the ruck and target the middles of the Rhinos early on. For Jarrod O'Connor, he has the small task of handling the best hooker in the league, and what a story it would be if he could. O'Connor plays with no fear, and there's no doubt his respect for his opposition dummy-half will go out the window come kick-off, but he has to be wary of falling into Roby's trap on the biggest stage. The modern game relies so much on the speed and sturdiness of the ruck, and these two will have a big say in Saturday's result for sure.
Blake Austin v Jonny Lomax
With Aidan Sezer unavailable due to concussion protocols, it will be down to Blake Austin to guide Leeds around the park on the biggest stage, and if they want to have any chance of lifting the trophy, the Great Britain international must get his side going in attack. Saints stalwart Lomax has been in fine form recently and single handedly tore Salford Red Devils apart in the semi-final. Both also need to have their kicking game down to a tee. For Austin, his spiralling bombs will hang in the Old Trafford sky and will cause issues for the back three of the champions if he gets a hold of proceedings early on in the contest. Whoever can compose their side in the frantic opening stages and create gaps in their opponents' defence will give their respective team a fantastic chance of lifting a ninth Super League title.
Konrad Hurrell v Liam Sutcliffe
Two former teammates who know each other's strengths and weaknesses, former Rhino Konrad Hurrell will be trying to spoil Liam Sutcliffe's leaving party on Saturday. Sutcliffe has been in tremendous form since announcing he will be leaving the club for Hull FC in 2023, scoring a hat trick in the first round of playoffs against Catalans Dragons and causing Wigan Warriors' edge defence issues throughout the semi-final. However, on his day, the Tongan centre can be unplayable, and his link-up play with winger Tommy Makinson has been key to Saints' success in 2022. You feel the Rhinos have to put Hurrell under pressure from the get-go, as he does have errors in his locker. What they cannot afford to do is give him a free pass and back away in contact, or it will be a long old night for the flanks. These two know each other's games inside and out, but friendship will be put to one side as they lock horns in Manchester.
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