Leeds Rhinos coach Rohan Smith and dummy-half Jarrod O'Connor could join an exclusive list on Saturday evening as they look to follow in their relatives' footsteps and taste Super League Grand Final glory.
The Rhinos take on current holders St Helens on Saturday evening, with the pair hoping to secure a winners ring at the first time of asking. Including Smith and O'Connor, we take a look back at family members who have lifted the famous trophy at the theatre of dreams or featured in one of the finals.
Rohan Smith and Tony Smith
The latest family connection to be associated with the theatre of dreams is current Leeds Rhinos coach Rohan Smith and his uncle Tony, current head coach of Hull FC. Tony guided the Rhinos to their first Super League title in 2004, beating rivals Bradford Bulls 16-6 thanks to tries from Matt Diskin and Danny McGuire. Three years later, on his farewell to the club, Tony secured a second Grand Final ring as the Rhinos thumped St Helens 33-6, which nephew Rohan hopes to emulate on Saturday night.
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Sam Tomkins and Joel Tomkins
It seems like a lifetime ago now, but when the Tomkins brothers made their mark on Super League, you knew it wouldn't be long till they made an Old Trafford appearance. In the 2010 Grand Final, with Sam named at fullback and Joel in the back-row, Wigan Warriors retook the Super League crown as they defeated their biggest rivals, St Helens. Sam grabbed a try as he dummied his way over from close range, which capped off a fantastic individual performance. When Sam lifted the trophy again in 2013 and 2018, Joel had moved on from the Warriors and was playing for Saracens and Hull KR, respectively.
Jason Robinson and Lewis Tierney
The first father-son combination on the list is Jason Robinson and Lewis Tierney. Robinson was a part of the Wigan Warriors side that lifted the Super League trophy back in 1998, as he scored Wigan's only try in the 10-6 victory. In a star-studded team that had players such as Andy Farrell, Henry Paul and Gary Connolly, Robinson's performance earned him the Harry Sunderland Award and a place in the first-ever Super League dream team. His son Lewis followed in his father's footsteps by reaching the spectacle with the Cherry and Whites. In 2016, Tierney lined up on the wing as the Warriors defeated Lancashire rivals Warrington Wolves 12-6 in a close encounter thanks to tries from Oliver Gildart and Josh Charnley.
Sean O'Loughlin and Andy Farrell
They may not be related by blood, but it's worth remembering Wigan Warriors legends Sean O'Loughlin, and Andy Farrell are brother-in-laws. Two modern-day greats who, between them, won five finals for the Warriors. Farrell in 1998 and O'Loughlin in 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2018. They also both played in Wigan's 2003 Grand Final 25-12 defeat to Bradford Bulls, with O'Loughlin starting the game at five-eight and Farrell in his famous loose forward role.
Jarrod and Terry O'Connor
Like the aforementioned Andy Farrell and Jason Robinson, Terry O'Connor was also a part of the Wigan Warriors side that lifted the famous trophy in 1998, and this Saturday, he will be hoping son Jarrod get's to carry on the family legacy at Old Trafford. The Leeds hooker has played a huge part in getting the Rhinos to the 2022 Grand Final, and he looks set to start the game at dummy half this weekend as they try to prevent St Helens from winning the title for a fourth consecutive year.
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