Round 1
Leeds Rhinos 18 d. Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 4

2009 engage English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

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

Leeds overcome injury hit Wakefield
Mon February 16, 2009
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Under strength and below par, Leeds Rhinos made it two wins from two in the defence of their engage Super League crown but it was Wakefield Trinity Wildcats who took most of the honours from the West Yorkshire derby.

An injury to scrum-half Sam Obst in the warm-up left the Wildcats without 10 members of their 26-strong squad through injury and illness, and they were forced to give a debut to 19-year-old part-timer Luke Blake.

But, fresh from their opening 12-6 win at Wigan, the visitors battled superbly and were in the hunt for another shock victory until debutant Danny Buderus sent Ian Kirke over for the match-clinching try seven minutes from the end.

Leeds, too, were short of experience with skipper Kevin Sinfield one of five internationals on the sidelines after succumbing to a calf injury, although they were able to welcome former Australia hooker Buderus to engage Super League.

The one-time Kangaroo captain was introduced 25 minutes into the match and settled easily into his accustomed role, with Matt Diskin switched to the back row.

The Rhinos made a dream start, with second rower Ali Lauitiiti dummying his way over for the game's first try after only two minutes, but Wakefield were in no mood to roll over.

Centre Sean Gleeson crossed the Leeds line midway through the first half only to be brought back for a forward pass and stand-off Scott Grix was denied a try by a brilliant last-ditch tackle from the outstanding Lee Smith.

Wakefield's only reward was a penalty from makeshift scrum-half Tony Martin, but they gifted their opponents a try when full-back Matt Blaymire fumbled Smith's re-start to present Jamie Jones-Buchanan with a clear run to the line.

Smith added the conversion to put his side into a 10-point interval lead, which was harsh on Wakefield's spirited efforts in adversity.

The Wildcats were reduced to 12 men just before the break when centre Ryan Atkins was sin-binned for fighting, but they managed comfortably and actually cut the deficit by two points when Martin landed a long-range penalty.

With the evergreen Brad Drew prompting and probing effectively, the visitors continued to enjoy periods of domination without managing to crack the superb Leeds defence.

The Rhinos suffered a blow when promising centre Kallum Watkins limped off injured 12 minutes into the second half, but they ought to have extended their lead when Danny Allan, a third-choice stand-off, broke clear but ran out of steam as he got to the line.

The ever-dangerous Drew then thought he had scored after burrowing his way to the line on the last tackle but he was ruled to have been held short.

The Wildcats' resistance was finally broken on 73 minutes when Kirke ended a sustained spell of pressure on the visitors' line by crashing over for his side's third try and substitute Ashley Gibson added the goal.

Report Source: www.superleague.co.uk


Headingley Insight: Leeds v Wakefield
Fri February 13, 2009
Source: www.therhinos.co.uk

In this weeks edition of Headingley Carnegie Insight Leeds Head Coach Brian McClennan looks ahead to his sides game against Wakefield this Friday at Headingley Carnegie, kick off 8pm.

HOW ARE YOU APPROACHING THIS WEEKS GAME?
Wakefield had a terrific win at Wigan last week. Having watched the game you could see that they were very determined and played with a lot of passion and purpose. They showed great team spirit and were out to prove some people wrong however you will not hear anyone in our organisation underestimating Wakefield. We are committed to concentrating on our own performance and improving ourselves on last week.

HOW HAS TRAINING GONE THIS WEEK?
Fortunately, we are all very competitive and focussed on trying to be the best we can be. We are determined to improve on our performance from last week against Celtic Crusaders and show what we can do for longer periods of time.

We were very good in the first quarter of the game but we need to play like that for an extended period of time. If we can keep on improving we will be ready for the challenge this week that Wakefield will present us with.

HOW IS YOUR SQUAD SHAPING UP?
Our squad is getting healthier as the season progresses. We become stronger with every player that becomes available for selection. We have more options when we have got everyone on board and the players know that whatever team the coaching staff select for any given match, that that selection will be for the good of the team as a whole.

It is great to see Danny Buderus making his debut for the club. Danny is a terrific guy and he has settled in extremely well within our squad. It is an exciting time for him and us and it will be good to get him out on the pitch given the great amount of experience he has in the game.

We also have Ryan Bailey back this week. Ryan has worked hard with our physio Meirion Jones and Head Conditioner Jason Davidson and he is in better shape now than he was last season so that bodes well. Both Ryan and Danny will need time to get up to speed but it is great to have them on board this week.

News Source: www.therhinos.co.uk

Thu February 12, 2009
• Buderus set to make Rhinos debut
  

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