St Helens go to a packed Headingley in the 2008 Super League to face Leeds Rhinos. Daniel Anderson’s Saints dismantled the reigning champions with controlled aggression and powerful play in the forwards to suffocate Leeds 26-12.

The match was marred by a volatile opening quarter, which included a dangerous 'chicken wing' tackle by Ryan Bailey on Maurie Fa'asavalu that was placed on report by referee Steve Ganson. The brutal, physical encounter boiled over in the second half when Leeds prop Nick Scruton was sent off for a horrific spear tackle on Saints captain Keiron Cunningham.

Despite the hostility on the pitch, St Helens kept their discipline to secure a statement victory over their fiercest rivals. The Rhinos would retain their Super League title at the Grand Final though, winning 24-16 at a wet Old Trafford that lent itself to a forward-centric possession and territorial grind.