Sir Kevin Sinfield set for special Super League Grand Final duty

Sir Kevin Sinfield will take the Super League Grand Final match ball on his seventh and final challenge - before delivering it at the scene of so many of his most famous successes as he presents it at the Grand Final at Old Trafford on October 3, live on Sky Sports.

The former Leeds Rhinos and England captain is preparing to embark on his latest gruelling running endeavour, raising further awareness and funds to support the MND community across the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.

Sinfield, who has helped raise more than £11m for the MND community with his team since his first annual challenge in 2020, will complete an ultra-marathon every day for seven days.

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Starting at the home of world club champions Hull KR on Sunday September 27 and visiting each of the home grounds of the 12 English Super League clubs, he will finish at Old Trafford ahead of the Grand Final on Saturday October 3.

And now Sinfield, who led Leeds to seven Grand Final glories at the Theatre of Dreams, will present the match ball in readiness for the current-day gladiators to do battle.

For Sinfield, this final running challenge is a special opportunity to bring it all "back home" to the rugby league community and visit some venues at which Burrow thrived.

Not only that, Old Trafford is where Burrow scored arguably the best Grand Final try in 2011 against St Helens, and for Sinfield that makes the Theatre of Dreams a particularly fitting end.

"I think it's nice to bring it back home to the rugby league community. This is where it all started for Rob," Sinfield told Sky Sports.

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"To visit some venues where he terrorised opponents is particularly special and to finish at Old Trafford is great.

"Rob scored, in my opinion, the greatest Super League try, greatest Grand Final try ever. He won eight Grand Finals.

"To get a chance to visit some places that I know very well, where the support has been awesome over the last six years, I am looking forward to it.

"We were here (Old Trafford) for the Rugby League World Cup final in 2022 and the support we got that night was immense considering England weren't in the final.

"We were all hoping and expecting, so it doesn't matter which teams are in the final.

"I think the love for Rob, the support, the love for the MND community will shine through and I am incredibly proud of the way rugby league has come together again and continues to do, to look after it's own, and it will be a really special night."

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RL commercial managing director and interim RFL chief executive Rhodri Jones added: "Sir Kevin is one of the most iconic names in Super League history.

"He is synonymous with Grand Final night and his remarkable endeavours, all those epic running challenges we have seen over the years in support of his great friend Rob Burrow and the MND community, remain an inspiration to us all.

"As a competition, we are delighted he's now bringing the ball to the centre stage at Old Trafford ready for the biggest 80 minutes of the season when everything is on the line and the latest Betfred Super League champions are crowned.

"The whole sport of rugby league wishes Sir Kevin and all his team the very best on what promises to be yet another arduous and challenging seven days."

Six charities are set to benefit from this year's fundraising. The work of the MND Association, Leeds Hospitals Charity, My Name5 Doddie Foundation, Darby Rimmer Foundation, MND Scotland and the Irish MND Association will once again be supported by the challenge.

The fundraising page is open for supporters to donate here.

Super League play-offs schedule

Eliminators

Friday September 18: Wakefield Trinity vs Leigh Leopards, KO 8pm on Sky Sports

Saturday September 19, Warrington Wolves vs Hull KR, KO 5:30pm on Sky Sports

Semi-finals

Semi-Final 1 - Friday September 25, Leeds Rhinos vs TBC, 8pm KO on Sky Sports

Semi-Final 2 - Saturday 26 September, Wigan Warriors vs TBC, 5.30pm KO on Sky Sports

The Super League play-offs begin on Friday September 18, live on Sky Sports, and continue all the way through until the Grand Final from Old Trafford on October 3.