Round 4
Leeds Rhinos 20 d. Hull KR 12

2008 engage English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: United Kingdom > National > First Grade Competition: engage English Super League

Rhinos show fighting spirit
Sun February 3, 2008
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Leeds Rhinos were forced to show all their champion credentials to make a winning start to the defence of their engage Super League title.

The Rhinos were staring at a shock defeat when they trailed 12-8 with 15 minutes left to a new-look and fired-up Hull KR but they scored three late tries to secure a 20-12 victory.

New Zealand international Jake Webster, who was given his Test debut by Brian McClennan in 2005, did his best to spoil the champions' party with a glorious try double on his Super League debut.

The 25-year-old centre, one of nine new faces in the Rovers line-up, touched down in each half as the visitors stunned the bulk of the 18,467 crowd at a bitterly cold Headingley.

They were good value for their lead but the Rhinos eventually found their scoring touch in a late flurry in which prop Ryan Bailey had two tries disallowed.

The Robins, who defied expectations by surviving in their first season in Super League, had virtually a new side - including former Leeds favourite Chev Walker, back in league after a brief stint in rugby union with Bath.

It took the champions some time to get into their stride but they took the lead on 15 minutes with a sweetly-worked try, Kevin Sinfield and Keith Senior working the ball out for winger Scott Donald to register the first try of engage Super League XIII.

Sinfield, who has a scoring run stretching back to June 2006, failed with the difficult conversion, and the visitors drew level on 27 minutes thanks to a move honed on the training pitch.

Substitute Ben Cockayne, playing at hooker in the absence of the injured Ben Fisher, worked a run-around with loose forward Scott Murrell and got Webster crashing through Bailey's attempted tackle for the try.

Murrell's conversion struck the outside of the left-hand upright but the visitors edged ahead two minutes before half-time when Webster put over a penalty after Leeds had been caught offside in front of their own posts.

Matt Diskin and Danny McGuire both went within inches of the line and Rovers suffered a blow when the outstanding Shaun Briscoe was forced to leave the field on 51 minutes with a facial injury.

But coach Justin Morgan reshuffled his side and watched them extend their lead six minutes later when Leeds' passing broke down on halfway and stand-off Chris Chester got Webster racing clear. Murrell added the conversion to open up an eight-point lead.

Bailey thought he has sparked the fightback when he reached the line on 63 minutes, only to be denied by a double movement, but two minutes later winger Lee Smith grabbed the first of two tries after smart work from his centre Clinton Toopi.

But Leeds regained the lead eight minutes from the end when Ben Galea fumbled McGuire's kick to the line and Smith was on hand to get the crucial touch.

Sinfield kicked his first goal to stretch his scoring run to 42 successive matches and, after Bailey had a second try disallowed by the video referee, McGuire piled on the agony for the visitors by jinking his way over for his side's fourth touchdown.

Report source: www.superleague.co.uk

Article: Slow start worries McClennan


Headingley Insight: Leeds v Hull KR
Sat February 2, 2008
Source: www.leedsrugby.com

In this weeks edition of Headingley Carnegie Insight Leeds coach Brian McClennan looks ahead to the Rhinos first game of the season against Hull KR this Saturday at Headingley Carnegie, kick off 6pm (UK).

HOW HAVE PREPARATIONS GONE THIS WEEK?
The team arrived back from Florida on Monday after a very successful training camp. The conditions were perfect for us and we probably got three weeks work done in just ten days whilst we were there. Our usual training ground was under water whilst we were away so the timing could not have been better. The facilities at the University of North Florida were excellent and the people of Jacksonville were keen to learn about our game.

We came through the game and the trip without any injuries which was a real bonus.

ARE YOU PLEASED WITH HOW PRE-SEASON HAS GONE?
The pre-season has gone really well and I must congratulate the players on their hard work and commitment during a long pre-season. Some guys like Ryan Bailey, Scott Donald and Lee Smith have been in training since November and you can see that it has paid off in the recent pre-season games. It was a shame Ryan could not join us in Jacksonville because of his injury because I have been really impressed by his form and I believe he is a young man with a bright future.

The return of our international players after New Year really gave our preparations a lift over the last month. These guys know what is takes to perform at the highest level and they lead by example.

HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT HULL KR?
I watched many of their games last season when they took Super League by surprise and upset all the pre-season predictions. They have shown their intentions to push for a Play Off place this season with their close-season signings and we know they will be a tough challenge on Saturday. They are a well coached side who, like ourselves, will be wanting to make the best possible start to the season so it sets it up for a great contest.

RHINOS AT FULL STRENGTH FOR SEASON OPENER
Leeds Rhinos are expecting a bumper crowd at Headingley Carnegie for their first competitive game since being crowned Champions last October for the visit of Hull KR on Saturday, kick off 6pm.

New coach Brian McClennan has included all 17 players who won the title at Old Trafford in his final 18 man squad for Saturday's game with Nick Scruton also added to the squad.

The game has been made all ticket with fans keen to see the Champions in action. Over 19,000 tickets have already been sold but tickets will remain on sale until 3pm on Saturday.

The Headingley Carnegie pitch has been covered by frost sheets to protect it against the freezing conditions forecast for Friday night and the club's dedicated ground staff will be on duty over night to look after the pitch and ensure the season opener goes ahead.

Rhinos star scrum half Rob Burrow is just one try short of becoming only the 23rd player in the club's history to score 100 tries in a career whilst Kevin Sinfield is looking to continue his points scoring run that goes back to 2nd July 2006.

The 18 man squad in full is:

1. Brent Webb
2. Scott Donald
3. Clinton Toopi
4. Keith Senior
5. Lee Smith
6. Danny McGuire
7. Rob Burrow
8. Kylie Leuluai
9. Matt Diskin
10. Jamie Peacock
11. Jamie Jones-Buchanan
12. Gareth Ellis
13. Kevin Sinfield
14. Ali Lauitiiti
16. Ryan Bailey
17. Nick Scruton
18. Ian Kirke
19. Carl Ablett

News sent by: www.leedsrugby.com

Fri February 1, 2008
• In Touch: Leeds v Hull KR Preview
  
Thu January 31, 2008
• Hull KR squad for Super League opener
  
Thu January 31, 2008
• Bailey returns for Rhinos
  

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