In a second half that saw both sides go blow for blow, Leeds Rhinos lost out 30-24 to Huddersfield Giants at AMT Headingley in a frustrating night.

The Rhinos took a ten point lead into the break, courtesy of tries from Paul Momirovski and the returning David Fusitu'a, but Ian Watson's side fought back in the second half to score four tries in ten minutes to take the win.

Team News

With an extra week’s preparation for the visit of the Giants, head coach Rohan Smith welcomed back Justin Sangare to the starting lineup in place of Tom Holroyd, who was ruled out as he completes his return to play protocol.

David Fusitu’a also made his first appearance of the season alongside Harry Newman as the Tongan international featured for the first time since the end of 2023. Luis Roberts swapped wings to partner Paul Momirovski in the absence of Ash Handley with a rib injury.

Tom Nicholson-Watton was named on the bench after a spell with York RLFC Knights in the Championship. He was one of four forwards named on the bench alongside Sam Lisone, Jarrod O’Connor and Mickael Goudemand.

Huddersfield’s only change to the starting lineup saw Harvey Livett come into the back row in place of Jack Murchie. Oliver Wilson was named on the bench after missing the trip to Catalans last week too.

1st Half

It was a tight arm wrestle in the opening minutes, which had become accustomed to this fixture in recent meetings. The Rhinos looked to use their home advantage

16 minutes in, the home side managed to break the deadlock thanks to Paul Momirovski. The opportunity arose thanks to Rhyse Martin, who managed to break through a seam in the Giants defence and race into the backfield. Although he was caught before he made it to the line, Leeds remained composed and a shift to the edge saw Momirovski break the line and score.

The Rhinos continued to apply pressure to keep the Giants on their toes; particularly when Luke Yates was sent to the sin bin midway through the half. Harry Newman had the best of the chances for the Rhinos as James McDonnell smuggled a pass away for the centre, but Huddersfield’s slide defence put the centre down.

Tensions remained high as the first half continued but luckily for Leeds, they managed to take their lead to a two-score advantage in the shape of David Fusitu’a. On his return to the line-up, the winger was quick to react to Croft’s grubber kick through as it sat up just right for Fusitu’a to plant down before the ball went out of play.

Huddersfield were handed a lifeline as the half expired in the shape of a penalty goal. A high tackle was pulled up by referee Chris Kendall, and the decision was quick to take the two points as the clock wound down. Connor stepped up to convert, making the score 12-2 at the break.

2nd Half

For the lack of tries in the opening 40 minutes, the second half was try-filled for both teams.

Five minutes into the new half, the Giants got the rewards from forcing Leeds to kick from deep as quick hads from Connor and Clune put Marsters in space, and the centre stepped inside Fusitu’a to touchdown.

It was soon back to back scores as Elliot Wallis on the opposite wing got over for the try. Sebastine Ikahihifo proved tough to stop from the restart as the substitute forward fended off Leeds defenders before feed Adam Swift down the wing. With the winger outpacing Fusitu’a down towards the Rhinos try line, cover defence caught up to stop Swift from scoring but one play later, quick hands shifted the ball right and Wallis was able to finish in the corner to make the score 12-12; Connor missing the conversion attempt.

The half took a quick turn in favour of the Rhinos after the 50 minute mark as the game started to open up. A knock on by Oliver Wilson gifted Leeds the ball deep in their opponent’s half, and Momirovski made the away side pay as he finished smartly in the corner to edge the Rhinos ahead by six again.

No sooner had they got one try, the lead was extended back to twelve points as Jarrod O’Connor got his first try of the season. Despite having to re-jig the lineup as both Fusitu’a and Newman exited the field for the remainder of the match, the home side made good use of a penalty to gain ground upfield before a smart pass from Frawley found O’Connor running a good line for the Leeds man to touch down. Martin’s night with the boot continued to be successful to take the score to 24-12.

As the game entered the final 20 minutes, another turn of fate saw Huddersfield bring the game back into the balance with three consecutive tries. Marsters proved tough for the Leeds defence, now made up of Momirovski on the wing and McDonnell at makeshift centre, as the Cook Islands international found himself short of the line, and quick thinking from Swift saw him dart out of dummy half and beat both Leeds men to touch down in the corner.

Another Swift and Marsters combination led to Harvey Livett scoring a minute later, and off the back of a knock on from Luis Roberts, Naiqama levelled the score with nine minutes to go.

The Rhinos took a blow when Miller’s goal line drop out didn’t go the required ten metres, and Connor stepped up to slot the penalty goal as time faded away.

In need of a try, the Rhinos tried desperately to shift the Giants defence around the field, but a mistimed pass from Smith proved to be the home side’s undoing as Clune ran the length of the field to win it 30-24 for the visitors.

Match Facts

Rhinos

1. Lachlan Miller, 2. David Fusitu’a, 3. Harry Newman, 4. Paul Momirovski, 24. Luis Roberts, 6. Brodie Croft, 7. Matt Frawley, 8. Mikolaj Oledzki, 9. Andy Ackers, 17. Justin Sangare, 16. James McDonnell, 12. Rhyse Martin, 13. Cameron Smith

Subs: 15. Sam Lisone, 30. Tom Nicholson-Watton,14. Jarrod O’Connor, 18. Mickael Goudemand (18^th Man – 29. Alfie Edgell)

Tries: Momirovski (16, 52), Fusitu’a (33), O’Connor (57)

Goals: Martin 4/4

Sin Bin: Miller (79) - Dissent

Giants

1. Jake Connor, 2. Adam Swift, 3. Esan Marsters, 4. Kevin Naiqama, 20. Elliot Wallis, 6. Tui Lolohea, 7. Adam Clune, 15. Matty English, 9. Adam Milner, 10. Joe Greenwood, 21. Leroy Cudjoe, 22. Harvey Livett, 13. Luke Yates

Subs: 14. Ashton Golding, 17. Oliver Wilson, 16. Harry Rushton, 18. Sebastine Ikahihifo (18^th Man – 23. Oliver Russell)

Tries: Marsters (45), Wallis (47), Swift (66), Livett (67), Naiqama (71), Clune (76)

Goals: Connor 2/7

Sin Bin: Yates (32)