Leeds, guided by former Kiwis coach Brian McLennan, defied the odds to retain their English Super League crown with a 24-16 victory over St Helens in the grand final.

Saints were strong favourites after beating Leeds recently but the Rhinos dominated in the torrential rain at Old Trafford.

Danny McGuire's two tries in the second half proved the difference as Leeds claimed their third title in five seasons and ruined former Warriors and Kiwis coach Daniel Anderson's final game in charge of St Helens.

Saints opened the scoring with a James Graham try but the Rhinos led 12-6 at the break thanks to touchdowns from Lee Smith and Ryan Hall.

Former Newcastle Knight Matt Gidley went over to draw the sides level at the start of the second half. But McGuire ensured Ade Gardner's 31st touchdown of the season for Saints was to no avail.

Saints, wanting revenge for last season's grand final loss to Leeds, made the ideal start with James Graham scoring within six minutes.

Graham started and finished the move with Sean Long switching play inside from a pass by the prop to put Lee Gilmour through a gap.

Gilmour broke for the line and exchanged passes with Paul Wellens before offloading for Graham to touch down by the posts.

The Rhinos began to enjoy more possession as the first half wore on and found their way back into the game after 23 minutes as heavy rain continued to swirl around the stadium.

A penalty from deep inside their own half allowed Leeds the chance to apply pressure and Jamie Jones-Buchanan, sporting a head bandage after a collision with team-mate McGuire, offloaded for Smith to crash over. Kevin Sinfield's conversion from out wide levelled the scores.

Leeds stepped up the pressure and were rewarded with a second try four minutes before the interval.

Centre Keith Senior, having switched from the left to the right, brilliantly flicked wide a Sinfield pass as he sensed Francis Meli closing in on him.

Ryan Hall collected close to the touchline, kicked forward and then won the race to score in the corner. Sinfield coolly added the extras.

Anderson's half-time team-talk appeared to have the desired effect as Saints made the perfect after the break with a try two minutes after the restart.

Gidley claimed it in the corner after Gardner palmed down Long's high kick and again the score was converted by the Saints scrum-half.

Yet the scores were not level for long as Leeds took full advantage of a Smith chip forward that fortuitously bobbled out for a 40-20 kick.

Sinfield then took over with a delicate kick between the posts for McGuire to score and the Rhinos captain maintained his perfect record with the boot.

Saints hit back again just before the hour with James Roby firing a pass out wide for Gardner to slide in to cut the gap to two, but Leeds charged back upfield and McGuire scampered over for a second before Sinfield made it 24-16 with his fourth goal.

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