League leaders St Helens were odds-on favourites, but Burrow, above, said: "The fact we were so much underdogs and people were writing us off gave us that little extra.

"To create history makes it extra special. We had the game plan, we thought it would be bad conditions, so we knew we'd need a good kicking game and we'd have to front up. We have got the best forwards in the league."

Veteran centre Keith Senior has now played in three Super League Grand Finals and won them all.

"It was a superb game to be involved in," he said. "It was tough, it was close. That's what rugby league's all about and I am proud to have been involved and especially to win it.

"We were written off all week and they went into the game red-hot. They've had a superb season, but there was no pressure on us.

"Desire got us through. We set a target to win back-to-back finals and we showed what a quality side we are. In the last 10 minutes a few calls went against us, but we dug deep and we defended strong. It's absolutely superb."

Winger Scott Donald's early try-saving tackle on Matt Gidley, when Saints led 6-0, was crucial.

He said: "It's good to do it back-to-back, for the first time in Leeds' history. The boys are extremely proud of that. The self-belief has been building over the last couple of years and to be able to have the same group of players together is what makes that belief so strong.

"A couple of people are leaving, but the majority are staying and that belief is going to live on."

Donald hailed young winger Ryan Hall, who scored Leeds' second try after a late call-up into the side.

"It's outstanding for Hally, to score a try in a Grand Final. There was talk before the game that that was one of his dreams.

"For it to come true for him, I couldn't be happier."

Starting centre Carl Ablett, a substitute in 2007, said: "We were written off a bit more than last year, which made it sweeter. We had to work hard for it, which we did.

"It has been a tough year for me, playing a few different positions. We've taken a bit of stick, everybody's been saying the right side's the weak side, but I think we did all right."