By Phil Gordos BBC Sport at Old Trafford

If there was ever a Man of Steel, he is it Leeds forward Gareth Ellis

The big question for me this morning is not how England defied the odds to reach the final of rugby union's World Cup.

Stunning though that achievement was, what I want to know is how Jamie Peacock is feeling.

After Leeds had lost to St Helens in the Super League qualifying semi-final a fortnight ago, the 29-year-old prop admitted he had been unable to lift up his young son, Lewis, because his body was black, blue and thoroughly exhausted.

Well, just how much must he be suffering less than 24 hours after his stunning performance in his side's 33-6 victory over St Helens at Old Trafford?

His team-mates were queuing up to sing his praises as they basked in the glory of a long overdue trophy success.

So, in fact, were the opposition.

Jon Wilkin, one of the players on the receiving end of Peacock's bullocking runs and unrelenting dynamism, was left shell-shocked and in awe of his conqueror.

But perhaps the man who summed up best just how big an impact Peacock had made at the Theatre of Dreams was Gareth Ellis.

MESSAGEBOARD: DEBATE Playing youngsters is not penny pinching - it is the future. How else are they going to get a chance? Knowsley1972

The Leeds back rower was pretty monumental himself last night.

Like Peacock, he put his body on the line time and time again as the Rhinos did what no other team had managed to do before - beat Saints in a Grand Final.

But he felt his own heroics had been overshadowed by his fellow forward.

"To do what he does for 80 minutes is unbelievable," said Ellis.

"If there was ever a Man of Steel, he is it. He was there when we needed to take up the mantle and you can't help but be inspired by him. He was massive for us."

Unfortunately for Peacock, he will have little time to nurse his bruised and battered body.

Great Britain awaits and a three-Test series against New Zealand.

Tony Smith (left) will take up the reins as Great Britain coach

But at least he will be wearing the blue and amber of Leeds again next season.

Coach Tony Smith's shoes will take some filling - his four-year reign ended with last night's success - but what would the Rhinos do if Peacock were to leave Headingley?

I heard one BBC commentator describe Sebastien Chabal, the long-haired man mountain of French rugby union, as "hewn from granite".

Well, whatever Peacock was carved from, the Leeds hierarchy should get busy creating another.

The Leeds-born front rower turns 30 this December and won't be around forever.