St Helens have made Old Trafford their second home in recent years – but hooker James Roby admits another Grand Final defeat is too much to contemplate.
Roby will be one of five Saints playing in a sixth consecutive finale – their last triumph coming in 2006.
“We’re sick of talking about it now,” he said. “We’ve got to forget about the past and treat it as a fresh start.
“There are players who haven’t played in Grand Finals and we’ve a new coach in Royce (Simmons) who has never been to a Super League Grand Final before so we’re trying to look ahead rather than back.”
With Leeds and Saints putting out favourites Warrington and champions Wigan last week, Saturday’s clash is a fourth final between these two in five years – Leeds winning the lot.
“It’s going to be a massive game,” Roby said. “We’ve both been a bit under the radar. Warrington and Wigan were the best and most consistent teams in the regular season.
“But, play-offs are a different kettle of fish, it’s knockout rugby and we’ve both been here before.”
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