Super League Grand Final: Wolves must be up for the occasion

Rhinos scrum half Danny Maguire is back from suspension

Ralph Ellis tells us why players must be prepared for the occasion and not just the game as Warrington Wolves hope to inflict defeat on the Leeds Rhinos in the Super League Grand Final...

There's a saying used by coaches in all sports that you play the game and not the occasion. Not surprisingly it's a line being trotted out by Warrington Wolves coach Tony Smith this week.

The Wire might have been Challenge Cup winners in three of the last four seasons, but going to Old Trafford to face Leeds Rhinos on Saturday night will break new ground for them. And it's the one question mark you need to be aware of before backing them as 1.584/7 favourites to be Super League Grand Final winners.

Wolves' veteran hooker Micky Higham and Smith himself have both been trotting out the phrase about games and occasions as the build up begins. But ironically in the same interview Higham gave away his concerns about the lack of experience among his team mates.

He made his first Grand Final appearance when he was at St Helens in 2002, and claimed: "I can remember it like it was last week." The only trouble is that the bit he remembers is walking out of the tunnel and hearing the roar of the crowd. As for the game? "It goes so quickly and I don't remember too much about it."

That will be music to the ears of Leeds coach Brian McDermott who has nursed his team through an up and down season to bring them to their peak - yet again - at just the right time. Last Friday's 13-12 win over massive favourites Wigan underlined how big match experience counts for the Rhinos. Somehow it seems that whatever has gone on in the season before, when it gets to play-offs time they find a way to win.

They were huge outsiders at the start of the semi-finals last year but finished as champions. This time after finishing fifth in the table they were unfancied again but went to France and knocked out Catalans Dragons. Then Wigan were 1.454/9 to beat them before last Friday's semi. So I certainly won't be scared of taking on the favourites again. Leeds have been to five Grand Finals in the last eight years, which is in itself a pretty good record. What's even better is that they have ended up lifting the trophy every single time.

The likes of Kevin Sinfield, who was utterly nerveless kicking the late penalty that turned defeat to victory against Wigan, and scrum half Danny McGuire, have seen it, done it, and fancy doing it again. McGuire especially, nursing a grievance at being suspended from the semi-final, will be bursting to bring his best form to the big occasion.

His absence through injury was one of the key factors when Warrington beat Leeds at Wembley in the Challenge Cup final, and can guarantee a far closer contest this time round - at the very least it will be worth laying Warrington/Warrington at 2.021/1 in the Half-time/Full-time market.

It might be best for the players to concentrate on the game. But if you're looking for a value there's a lot to be said for focusing instead on the importance of the occasion.