Leeds Rhinos end Gardner's dream - interview

Last updated 15:50, Monday, 06 October 2008

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WE DID IT: Leeds Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield kisses the Super League Grand Final trophy as he celebrates victory with his team JOHN GILES/PA WIRE

The Barrow-born winger will be named in England coach Tony Smith’s 24-man squad for the trip to Australia later this month.

But the gloom caused by Saints’ second successive engage Super League Grand Final defeat won’t have lifted from Gardner and his team-mates.

“I suppose it will do if we go over there and win it,” admitted Gardner, whose 31st try of a hugely-successful personal campaign threatened a Saints second half revival.

“I’d have been a lot more pleased with the tries had we won the competition.

“But at the moment I’m desperately disappointed.

“And I’d swap all the tries for a Grand Final winners’ ring.

“It’s a long time until next season when we can try and put it right.”

Asked whether Saturday’s 24-16 Old Trafford beating was more painful than last year’s mauling by the Rhinos, the 25-year-old winger said: “It feels just as bad.

“We didn’t really get into the game or get anything going. But credit to Leeds they played well.

“We got into an arm-wrestle with them and in the end we started to panic which isn’t like us.

“The gaffer gave us a real talking to at half-time which we totally deserved.

“And we were all confident of turning things round. In fact, we started the second half like we began the first.

“But after Gids’ (Matt Gidley) try we were guilty of handing the advantage back to Leeds.

“And in the end we began to panic again.”

Gardner, a try scorer against Leeds in the 33-6 Grand Final eliminator two weeks earlier, crossed for a 59th minute try to bring Saints within two points.

However, Danny McGuire added his second try of the half four minutes later and Kevin Sinfield’s fourth goal earned Brian McClennan’s side their winning advantage.

Earlier, Man of Steel James Graham scored a converted try after just five minutes to put the favourites in the driving seat.

However, full-back Lee Smith and winger Ryan Hall went over in the comeback and Leeds led 12-6 at the break.

Gidley and Sean Long’s touchline conversion made it 12-apiece but that was as close as Gardner got to adding to his vast medal collection.