Leeds Rhinos achieved a significant 34-8 victory against Hull KR at Headingley, further solidifying their position at the top of the Betfred Super League. The match saw Maika Sivo score two tries, and Jake Connor delivering a strong individual performance.
The win marks the Rhinos’ fifth consecutive victory and follows their 34-6 triumph over Warrington Wolves a week prior. This result places Leeds two points clear at the summit of the league standings.
Emotional Pre-Match Tributes and Intense Opening
The fixture at Headingley was Leeds’ annual Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Awareness game, featuring emotional pre-match tributes to former Rhinos legend Rob Burrow, who passed away. Burrow’s children, Macy, Jackson, and Maya, brought out the match ball to a standing ovation and guard of honour.
Once the game began, Hull KR displayed intense intent, particularly in the opening exchanges. This physicality led to an incident where Tom Amone and Dean Hadley of Hull KR clashed heads, resulting in bloodied faces for both players. Amone was able to return to the game with bandages, but Hadley failed his head injury assessment and will miss the upcoming derby against Hull FC at Magic Weekend.
Hull KR’s injury concerns were already present, with Joe Burgess, Sauaso Sue, and Sam Luckley missing from the squad for this match.
Rhinos Take Control with Key Tries
After an initial period of traded penalties between Connor and Rhyse Martin, Connor set up Chris Hankinson for Leeds’ first try of the night with a grubber kick. Sivo then scored his first try, contributing to Leeds’ 18-2 half-time lead.
Hull KR’s Martin was sin-binned just before half-time, further impacting their challenge. Sivo added his second try after the break, increasing Leeds’ advantage. Although Noah Booth scored a try for Hull KR, Connor responded with a fourth try for Leeds before the hour mark. Ash Handley then completed the scoring for Leeds, marking his 500th Super League point.
Connor’s performance included two assists for Hankinson’s and Sivo’s tries, and he was central to Leeds’ strong showing. His individual haul was a significant factor in the victory.
Coaches’ Reactions and League Implications
Leeds Rhinos head coach Brad Arthur praised his team’s bravery, particularly in the context of the MND awareness round. He highlighted the team’s dominance in collisions and their ability to withstand early pressure from Hull KR. Arthur also noted that despite the strong win, there is still room for improvement within the squad.
Hull KR head coach Willie Peters acknowledged his team’s initial intent and physicality, especially given the early adversity with two front-rowers leaving the field. However, he attributed the defeat to a high number of errors and turnovers, which led to Leeds having a significant possession advantage. Peters expressed pride in his team’s effort for large periods of the game against a top-ranked opponent.
This crushing defeat for Hull KR comes shortly after the confirmation that Nathan Cayless will replace head coach Peters at the end of the season, as Peters is set to join the Papua New Guinea Chiefs. The result serves as a reminder of the challenge Hull KR faces in their quest for back-to-back titles.
Sivo’s two tries in the match bring his season total to 27, placing him ahead of Lewis Martin‘s tally of 25 from the previous year. The win reinforces Leeds’ position as strong contenders for the title, with their performance against the defending champions demonstrating their capabilities.
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Source: bbc.co.uk
Sam Whitlock is a Sports News Writer at News-GB.org. He moved from local newspapers into digital sport. He focuses on rugby union, golf and boxing and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Journalism from the University of Gloucestershire and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Gloucester, he plays amateur rugby and follows the fight game. “Clarity beats cleverness in breaking sport news.”