Leeds 36 Wigan 6: Leeds show a ruthless streak to reach final

Leeds and St Helens, the best two teams in Super League all season, will contest the Grand Final next Saturday after Wigan's brave attempt to become the first side to reach Old Trafford from sixth place was snuffed out by a Rhinos display of character and class. Bouncing back from a potentially draining defeat at Knowsley Road last weekend, Leeds always looked determined to seize their second chance to reach the big occasion.

Inspired by a towering display from the GB captain Jamie Peacock, and two tries apiece from Brent Webb and Rob Burrow, they were in control throughout. "It was very comprehensive," their coach, Tony Smith, said. "Everyone kept telling me how much in form they were, so to keep them to one try was enormous."

Realistically, this was a game too far for Wigan, with a number of players patched up and their talisman, Trent Barrett, tearing his hamstring before the end, and for their coach Brian Noble, who had never previously tasted play-off defeat before the Grand Final.

"Full credit to them," Noble said. "I can't remember them making a mistake, but it doesn't make me any less proud of what we've achieved."

Leeds took the lead after 10 minutes, Kevin Sinfield landing a penalty to maintain his record of scoring in every game this season. Far more damaging for Wigan was the way that Peacock went straight through Iafeta Paleaaesina's attempt at a tackle, rampaged his way up field and released Brent Webb for a try with a perfectly-timed pass, Sinfield making it an eight-point lead with his conversion.

Some gloriously expansive ball handling from the Rhinos kept Wigan on the back foot until a weary defence conceded another penalty, kicked by Sinfield.

Wigan, with Barrett starting to exert an influence, had a long spell in Leeds territory, but could not get over the line, notably when Goulding knocked on with his route open. When Leeds got their chance to attack, their extra sharpness was all too apparent in the way that Danny McGuire served the ball up for Ali Lauitiiti's angled run and the second Rhino's try, topped off by Sinfield's fourth goal.

The Warriors got their first points on the board after 56 minutes. Thomas Leuluai kicked ahead and the ball sat up obligingly for Barrett to gather and deliver the scoring pass to Pat Richards, who also added a goal.

But 10 minutes later Leeds as good as booked the coach to Old Trafford when Sinfield and Jamie Jones-Buchanan set up the excellent Burrow.

Three minutes later, Sinfield kicked through with immaculate precision and Webb touched down for the second time. Sinfield completed his perfect kicking display with two dropped goals, separated by Burrow pouncing on a loose ball for his second try.

Wigan's seesaw of a season was over, but there may be repercussions for Gareth Hock, who was placed on report for a late throw on Matt Diskin near the end.

Leeds: Webb, Donald, Toopi, Senior, Smith, McGuire, Burrow, K Leuluai, Diskin, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Ellis, Sinfield. Substitutes used: Lauitiiti, Kirke, Ablett, R Bailey.

Wigan: Richards, Colvon, P Bailey, Goulding, Vaealiki, Barrett, T Leuluai, Fielden, Millard, Paleaaesina, Hock, Fletcher, O'Loughlin. Substitutes used: Higham, Prescott, Hansen, Hill.

Referee: S Ganson (St Helens).