It's almost as though this squad realises too late just how good they can be......

that is until the penny drops that the GF really is the last chance of success.

just look at the first part of the 20th century ,we had some great sides but just could not win a championship final,yet up to Wigans domination we had won the challenge cup more times than any other club.Up to 2004 we had only won 3 championships and now 5 sl titles in 7 years ,amazing .Iwould like Kev and co to get a CC winners medal before they finish

just look at the first part of the 20th century ,we had some great sides but just could not win a championship final,yet up to Wigans domination we had won the challenge cup more times than any other club.Up to 2004 we had only won 3 championships and now 5 sl titles in 7 years ,amazing .Iwould like Kev and co to get a CC winners medal before they finish

It'd be great for them to pick up a CC before they retire but I'm happy for them to keep racking up titles.

But we came so close to winning the CC this year.

We should've won the CC this season with out a doubt but I think our club have won far more than the cup from that day. The arrogant, one season wonder pie eating goons can keep the trophy. We took far more out of that game at Wembley than Wigan ever could have.

It is a strange one isnt it? Maybe the same way that Saints fans are asking why cant they win at Old Trafford. The only thing I can put it down to is that this group of players seem to come alive when the play-off series comes around and they know the way to Old Trafford and how to win there. The Challenge Cup is still a fantastic competition and I'd love us to win one soon, but winning at Old Trafford would always make up for it!

Exactly. When the flood lights are up and the hooter goes at old trafford the team just lift and put in their best performances. They come alive at old trafford.

You have to remember we've been damned unlucky in many recent CC finals, 03, 05 and 11 were all games in which luck deserted us somewhat, maybe less so in 05 as they were outplayed.

On a similar theme perhaps, could it just be the weather?

__________

Considering it was a filthy night the security of the handling (by both teams) was surprisingly good overall. Most of Leeds' errors were due to sloppy over eagerness to play the ball or was it an attempt to draw the penalty not sure which they were after but it was again frustrating at times to see Leeds invite the opposition to attack our line.

Unfortunately for a team like St Helens unless we return to winter rugby the GF will always be played in less than ideal conditions in October in Manchester.

I think it comes down to the Rhinos being big game bottlers.

You might be consistent in a Super League format but when it comes to the cauldron of knock out rugby you bottle it not like Warrington who are the knock out Cup kings.

Cant wi em all

Not sure if serious.

quick get me a corsett my sides have split from all this laughing

Really? Don't waste too long trying to work it out.

For me they can never win a Mickey Mouse cup final for as long as I live, if we can win 5 GF's every 10 years.

The GF is the only one that matters. Sure it would be a bonus, as long as we won the GF the same year. But as for preference you can stick your CC up your @r5e.

This yeat, Wigan won the CC, but it seems to have ruined their league season. We lost it, but the belief we took from that day seems to have inspired the team to become Champions once more!

Can't say I agree. It would be especially nice for this set of players to win a Challenge Cup together before the side breaks up. Too late already for some.

The GF is the major prize and number one aim but the Challenge Cup would be second to that above a League Leaders Shield and a World Club Challenge.

The double is still a possibility (Bradford and St Helens are proof of that) but Leeds have never achieved the feat in their history. It would be a fitting way for this group (and CEO/Chairman) to even further cement their place in Headingley folklore if they could pull it off.

Completely agree tvoc it would be the "cherry on top" of an extremely successful cake.

It is what I meant...and would agree wholeheartedly. I really hope Sinfield gets to lift the CC before his retirement.

Making history has become a habit for this team, if theres one bit of history they could yet still make, it's that.