2004

9th June, 2017 By Phil Daly

2004

No Leeds Rhinos fan will ever forget the 2004 season when dreams became reality and grown men wept as the Championship finally came home after a 32 year absence.

In terms of the squad, little changed between 2003 and 2004 with only Papua New Guinean Marcus Bai added to the squad that Tony Smith inherited from Daryl Powell. However, that seemingly seamless change of guard belied a fundamental shift in attitude off the pitch. Smith left no stone unturned as he transformed a group of talented but raw players into Champions. He stripped pre-season back to basics as the players learnt how to catch, pass and hold the ball, new philosophies were introduced and learnt and sacrifice and dedication became a way of life for the young Leeds squad.

The season started well with a big home win over London Broncos in the league before Workington were comfortably dispatched at home in the Challenge Cup. Danny McGuire then announced his arrival on the 2004 season with a hat trick in a big win at Castleford with Gary Connolly scoring his final try for the club in the 34-8 victory.

The following week the only disappointment in a season of joy came at Knowsley Road as Leeds were easily beaten 24-14 by Saints in the Fourth Round of the cup. However, that set back only seemed to convince the Rhinos that they needed to redouble their efforts to achieve their dreams.

They bounced back immediately the following week with a well earned win over Wigan at Headingley and then thrashed Widnes away 46-0. The satisfaction that coach Smith and the team took from nilling an opposition said much about their new found determination and it was to become a hallmark of the side.

The previous season, Bradford had proved the Rhinos nemesis on so many occasions and so the significance of their victory over the Bulls in front of a sell out crowd of 21,225 at Headingley Carnegie could not be underestimated. Leeds carried on in brutal fashion in April as they nilled their opponents for a second successive away game when Salford were put to the sword, 44-0, at the Willows before Huddersfield and Wakefield were swept aside. Once again, it took a defeat to St Helens to keep the young Rhinos feet on the ground and whilst the the 56-10 thumping at Knowsley Road was a painful experience ultimately the wounds did not prove fatal.

The Rhinos responded in typical fashion to that defeat by going on a five game unbeaten run that saw them not only cement top spot but pull clear from the chasing pack. The major news in May was the arrival of Ali Lauitiiti from the New Zealand Warriors. The man dubbed the Michael Jordan of Rugby League made an immediate impact scoring a debut try in a win at Odsal in only his second game, stretching out one handed to touch down in a style that was to become a regular piece of Leeds action.

Leeds lost out to Wigan at JJB Stadium in what was a shock result at the time with the home side languishing in fifth after a tough season on and off the field having lost Head Coach Mike Gregory to illness at the start the season that would ultimately tragically cost him his life.

Two tries from Lauitiiti helped the Rhinos to a 28-24 win over Hull FC at Headingley the following week but the week after that game it was matters off the field that would get everyone?s attention. Chris Caisley?s Bradford Bulls had announced the signing of former Leeds skipper Iestyn Harris from the Welsh Rugby Union despite claims from his former club that he was contractually committed to coming back to Headingley. A long lengthy legal battle ensued that ultimately proved that the Rhinos were correct, however back in the summer of 2004, a version of the Cold War had broken out in West Yorkshire and there was plenty of rhetoric from both sides to fill the local newspaper columns.

On the field, Leeds beat Warrington away and Castleford at home before a dramatic 36-36 draw with London in the capital saw Carl Ablett make his Leeds debut and Liam Botham, on loan from Leeds, kick the equalising goal late on.

There was no danger of a late draw in the next game as Leeds produced one of their most famous wins in the summer era. Having lost to Saints twice at Knowsley Road, Tony Smith?s side were in no mood to make it three in a row. Leeds had beaten Saints previously by big scores but usually that was put down to Cup Final hangovers but St Helens had no answer to a 70-0 blitz on a balmy night at Headingley. Keith Senior was at the heart of it for Leeds with an untouchable performance as he pulverised the Saints defence before unleashing the twin strike forces of Bai and McGuire at will, both grabbing a hat trick whilst Wayne McDonald scored twice against his old club.

By now, Leeds were red hot favourites to finish top of the league and they galloped home to the finish line with seven wins from their remaining eight games plus a 12-12 draw at Wigan. Having finished nine points clear of second place Bradford, Leeds were remarkably still written off in some quarters as no hopers for the title. ?They would choke under the pressure, the kids would fall short, it was experienced that counted at this time of year? and so it went on. Those cat calls only increased in volume when Harris inspired Bradford to a comfortable 26-12 win at Headingley.

That set up a repeat of the previous season?s Grand Final Eliminator with Wigan returning. Smith crucially shuffled his side with Mark Calderwood back on the wing, Chev Walker moving to centre and Chris McKenna going into the back row. Crucially, Kevin Sinfield moved to stand off with Danny McGuire at scrum half and Leeds found their rhythm again. There was to be no repeat as Marcus Bai grabbed a hat trick and with it the momentum for the Grand Final.

And so to Old Trafford and the ultimate prize. Once again, Leeds were written off against the more experienced Bulls side who had made Old Trafford a second home under Brian Noble. Predictably Lesley Vainikolo struck first for Bradford but that was as good as it got for the giant winger. A combination of Smith?s tactics, Sinfield?s astute kicking and Calderwood?s willingness to chase and harass Vainikolo all night long negated his threat. Leeds hit back through Man of the Match Diskin soon after only for Hape to put Bradford back in command with a try just after half time.

However, cometh the hour, cometh the man and McGuire was on hand to score one of the sweetest tries in the Leeds club?s proud history as he crossed with five minutes to go in the corner. Sinfield kicked his fourth goal from four attempts and the Rhinos led 16-8 with time running out. Robbie Paul signalled the start of the party moments later when he knocked on and the Leeds players and their fans partied long into the night. 32 years is a long time between drinks and you can build up quite a thirst!

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