This was an evening the place you could possibly virtually sense the temper of all these related to Leeds Rhinos shift from cautious optimism to real perception about what may lie forward this summer time.
After a number of years of malaise, disappointment is uncommon on this a part of West Yorkshire lately however after an underwhelming defeat to St Helens final weekend, Brad Arthur had demanded his facet present a response. How they did that right here, and in some model on one other spectacular night for Leeds.
The ultra-demanding Arthur will possible be pissed off with the quantity of factors his facet conceded however credit score should go to Leigh, who’re within the prime 4 alongside Leeds on benefit. However when the Rhinos attacked, they had been totally sensational and had been worthy winners to climb above the Leopards and transfer as much as third.
There have been events when Leigh induced Leeds issues, each in-play and on the scoreboard. However the Rhinos rode these moments out, scoring some spectacular tries and underlining why, for the primary time in a very long time, they’re being mentioned as title contenders.
“It was an satisfying sport,” Arthur mentioned. “We confirmed as much as have a response from final week. That’s all I’m frightened about and we’ve jumped a spot within the league.” And with Shaun Wane set to call his newest England efficiency squad on Monday, this was an opportune evening for a number of Rhinos to shine.
Few did so greater than Jake Connor. The half-back is divisive to say the least however his type since becoming a member of Leeds this yr has been sensational. Wane is known to have left Connor out of his newest squad, however this efficiency, with a plethora of assists and a flawless show from the tee, ought to have piqued the England coach’s consideration.
“He’s executed sufficient to get a point out,” Arthur mentioned of Connor. It was his kick that led to Kallum Watkins’ opening attempt to after additional scores from Lachlan Miller, Cameron Smith and Harry Newman, Leeds led 24-10 at half-time and fully on benefit. Leigh’s tries in that first half got here by means of Isaac Liu and Keanan Model, however they had been below-par right here.
That was maybe resulting from taking part in in Perpignan final weekend in opposition to Catalans in searing warmth, and the Leopards by no means appeared totally themselves. “It was a bizarre sport,” their coach, Adrian Lam, mentioned. “We appeared torpid from final week in that warmth.”
Their trigger wasn’t helped by the lack of star full-back David Armstrong however in reality, this evening belonged to Connor. He was concerned in Newman’s second earlier than claiming a strive of his personal to place Leeds 36-14 forward, and whereas Leigh would proceed to attain factors of their very own late on, with Model persevering with his hat-trick, they had been by no means within the sport.
That’s as a result of the Rhinos continued to put up factors at will. Tom Holroyd and Mikolaj Oledzki each crossed within the closing quarter, with Connor influential in each, to place the seal on one other win that means come October, we could also be discussing Leeds’ fortunes within the massive video games as soon as once more.