Round 10
Leeds Rhinos 10 l. Wigan Warriors 14

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

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

Wigan ends Leeds unbeaten home record
Sun April 6, 2008
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Thomas Leuluai earned the family bragging rights as Wigan Warriors ended the unbeaten home record of engage Super League champions Leeds Rhinos with a 14-10 victory which closed the gap on them to just two points.

Prop forward Kylie Leuluai scored his first try of the season for the Rhinos - doubling his tally for the club in the process - five minutes before half-time to restore his side's lead.

But cousin Thomas, the Warriors scrum-half, replied for the visitors just four minutes later as the lead changed hands for a third time and Wigan tackled their hearts out in a scoreless second half to secure a precious victory in front of a Headingley Carnegie crowd off 18,769.

Only the boot of Pat Richards separated the sides after a defence-dominated opening 40 minutes which began in bright sunshine before being punctuated by a hailstorm.

Wigan gave a debut to 19-year-old half-back Thomas Coyle in the continued absence of Australian playmaking star Trent Barrett and he performed admirably with some clever tactical kicking.

Leeds, who faced former full-back Richard Mathers, gave a full debut at loose forward to rugby union Simon Worrall, with skipper Kevin Sinfield switching to stand-off in place of the injured Danny McGuire.

The Rhinos suffered another injury blow when second-rower Ali Lauitiiti hobbled off after only seven minutes but they took the lead three minutes later when hooker Matt Diskin re-gathered Sinfield's high-bouncing kick and sent winger Scott Donald over for his 10th try of the season.

But Headingley seems to bring the best out in Wigan, who have now won there four times in the last three years, and they scored an equalising try on 16 minutes when skipper Sean O'Loughlin got centre George Carmont through a gap and Richards was on hand to finish off the move.

Richards kicked the conversion and also booted a 43-metre goal after Leeds centre Keith Senior was penalised in possession to make it 8-4.

With Great Britain forwards Jamie Peacock and Gareth Ellis leading the way, the Rhinos began to get on top and they regained the lead five minutes before half-time when Kylie Leuluai took a short pass from Sinfield to crash over.

Sinfield's conversion made it 10-8 but two handling errors put the hosts under pressure and Wigan seized their opportunity by scoring their second try in the last act of the half.

Thomas Leuluai was at the shoulder of substitute prop Iafeta Paleaaesina to grab his third try of the season, to which Richards added his third goal.

Wigan also suffered further injury woe when centre Darrell Goulding went off with a knee problem just two minutes into the second half but Phil Bailey switched effortlessly from the pack to plug the gap.

Warriors were forced to defend for long periods of the second half as Leeds exerted tremendous pressure but they were up to the task.

The Rhinos thought they had drawn level when winger Lee Smith went over at the corner after 69 minutes but the try was disallowed for a forward pass and Wigan survived another scare three minutes from the end when makeshift centre Carl Ablett lost the ball going for the line.

Report source: www.superleague.co.uk

Article: McClennan looks on positive side


Headingley Insight: Leeds v Wigan
Fri April 4, 2008
Source: www.leedsrugby.com

In this weeks edition of Headingley Carnegie Insight, Leeds Coach Brian McClennan looks ahead to the Rhinos clash with Wigan this Saturday at Headingley Carnegie, kick off 6pm.

HOW HIGHLY DO YOU RATE WIGAN?
They have been picking up the wins this season and some of them have been in tight games so they know how to play in a pressure situation which bodes well for a great contest. They rested Trent Barrett last week but he is a key player for them. He is a world class player and he was perhaps unlucky not to win the Man of Steel last season when he must have been very close to picking it up. He steers their ship around the pitch and he links up well with Tommy Leuluai. Richie Mathers is back at Headingley Carnegie as well so they have plenty of threats.

HOW PLEASED WERE YOU WITH RESULTS OVER THE EASTER PERIOD?
We are really happy with how we have come through the busy Easter programme and the squad seems to be in good shape. The players have looked good in training this week and Jason Davidson and Meirion Jones and the medical team have looked after the group well during an intense period of the season. We are looking forward to being back home on Saturday after back to back away games and everyone is in good spirits.

HAVE YOU BEEN PLEASED WITH YOUR DEFENCE RECENTLY?
We have got a lot of confidence in our defence after conceding just two tries in three games in a week. We are becoming known as a team who it is hard to score against, which is pleasing. We will be tested again this week though, Wigan have got a varied attack so our entire defensive line must be ready to continue the trend we have started.

Due to the conditions we have shown different styles of play over in our last three games. Last week was another tough night, similar to the Carnegie World Club Challenge, and we had to win ugly. It has been said to me, that Leeds has not always been a team that has been able to do that over the years, so that makes the win special. You have to be disciplined enough to play the percentages in games like that and we are now able to do that. Our players are more mature because of how much rugby they have played and they understand the game. They know when to take chances and make better decisions because of that experience.

Our young players also are making a good contribution and they have deservedly been getting the accolades recently however a lot of what they have been able to achieve is due to how the senior players are making them feel in the first team environment. They make the young players feel like they are wanted and appreciated which is great for our team as we are on a learning curve together.

HOW ARE YOU APPROACHING SATURDAY'S GAME?
This weekend will be very interesting for all 12 clubs in engage Super League. The Easter period is tough but often the effects of that are not always seen immediately. Whoever handles the stress of three games will come out the winners this weekend and I think it is one of the critical weekends in the Super League season.

News sent by: www.leedsrugby.com

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