Daniel Anderson will head home to Australia admitting his St Helens team had been totally outplayed in the 24-16 English Super League Grand Final defeat to Leeds at a rain-lashed Old Trafford.

Anderson brought down the curtain on a three-and-a-half-year spell with Saints that has seen him lift nine trophies, but despite being favourites going into the game, his side were unable to send him off with a 10th as the Rhinos retained the title.

"Leeds got the opportunity to build pressure and they took advantage of it with a couple of tries," said Anderson.

"I didn't think we were honest with out capabilities in the first half, I thought we didn't play anywhere near the standards we had set.

"I thought we really battled hard in the second half but when we felt that we were getting our teeth into the game it didn't happen for us.

"They broke tackles and they won the ruck and in the first half, the amount of times Sean Long had to pass the ball because he had three or four men coming at him, that was significant."

Danny McGuire's two tries in the second half proved the difference as Leeds claimed their third title in five seasons.

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.

Leeds coach Brian McClennan said: "We knew we were playing against a very classy side and that's why we're so overjoyed.

"We had belief in ourselves and we are very happy. This is a result of the whole year, not just one game.

"In games like this it just gets down to a war of attrition. I'd just like to thank the Leeds Rhinos supporters for getting us through - they're outstanding."

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