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McNamara knows price of failure

Dave Hadfield
Saturday 12 October 2002 00:00 BST
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There is almost too much at stake for Huddersfield and Leigh in the Northern Ford Premiership Grand Final today, with the coveted place in Super League likely to go to the side that can best clear its mind of the consequences of defeat.

Failure is unthinkable for Huddersfield. They kept together a full-time squad after their relegation last year, although their captain, Steve McNamara, says: "If you knew what some of the players are being paid to be full-time professionals, you would be astonished. They've taken a year out of their lives financially to get back into Super League."

It's an investment in an uncertain future which has paid off – so far. The Giants have gone through the NFP season unbeaten, with players like McNamara, and the irrepressible Stanley Gene often too good for the opposition.

They have also beaten Leigh twice, but that will amount to nothing if they lose today – and the play-off structure that has given them one game over the last five weeks means that there is a risk of being undercooked.

Not so Leigh, who struggled past Batley last week. They have never been in Super League, but, after two close misses, they are as desperate as Huddersfield to get there.

Over the season, they have not been remotely as good a team, but they have individuals capable of huge games. Bobbie Goulding will be striving to recapture old glories, while the intimidating Vila Matautia, in his last game of rugby league, will not worry about offending any sensibilities.

For all that, Leigh have to play better as a team than they have all season if they are to prevent Huddersfield regaining what was lost 12 months ago.

Karl Pratt has described himself as "gutted" after being told that he is not wanted at Leeds next season. Fellow Great Britain internationals Ryan Sheridan, Darren Fleary and Andy Hay are also likely to be on their way out. While speculation has suggested that Ben Walker, Willie Poching and Wayne McDonald are also to be made available.

The club's chief executive, Gary Hetherington, said: "A full review is being undertaken and players will know their position next week."

Chris Anderson has denied that he might stand down as Australia's coach after today's Test against New Zealand in Wellington, despite admitting to being "weary". Anderson, who also coaches Cronulla, suffered a heart attack during last year's Kangaroo tour.

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