A tough Thursday night under the lights saw Leeds Rhinos lost out 22-12 to Hull KR as the Robins scored three second half tries to keep up their unbeaten start.

In brief

Although they dominated most of the first half proceedings, Harry Newman’s try after ten minutes was the only takeaway from the opening 40 as Sauaso Sue’s try and Jez Litten’s penalty gave the home side the lead.

The Robins kicked off the second half with Ryan Hall’s try, before his opposite number Ash Handley scored a momentous try to keep Leeds in the fight. A Peta Hiku try and second Litten penalty though sealed the win for Willie Peter’s side.

Team News 

Rohan Smith was able to name the majority of his side from last weeks win over Hull KR, with the only changes coming in the forwards. Mikolaj Oledzki was ruled out with a shoulder injury and James Donaldson dropped onto the bench as Justin Sangare and Mickael Goudemand started in the front row. James Bentley from the bench to start at second row in the only other change to the starting 13.

It was a memorable night for Harry Newman and Rhyse Martin before the ball was kicked, as the duo both hit century milestones. Centre Newman made his 100th career appearance whilst Martin hit 100 Super League games, all of which have come as a Rhinos player.

Leon Ruan was named on the bench for his first appearance of 2023 alongside Sam Lisone, who got the match winning try against the Red Devils. 

Alfie Edgell, who was due to be 18th man, was a late inclusion at full back as Lachlan Miller was ruled out through illness in the warm up.

1st

For a 40 minutes that Leeds dominated mostly, the Rhinos rued missed opportunities. The first big moment came when Paul Momirovski looked to break down the edge, only for the referee to pull the play back for a forward pass by Rhyse Martin.

Momentum continued in favour of the Rhinos when Peta Hiku was sent to the sin bin. Matt Frawley’s kick in behind tempted Hiku to try and claim but as he knocked on and Handley reclaimed, the Hull KR man was judged by the referee to have held down Handley too long and he saw a yellow card. 

It didn’t take long for the visitors to make the most of the extra man. Brodie Croft and Harry Newman combined to release Luis Robert’s down the sideline, before two plays later James Bentley managed to get an offload back for Croft to put Newman through to touch down. 

More threatening moves from Leeds keep the home side on their toes. Frawley tried a wide pass for Handley that the winger kicked dead before Mikey Lewis was trapped in goal as Croft attempted a kick ahead for Bentley.

Hull KR grew into the half as Jai Whitbread got in the best position for points twice, and Lewis also came close, only for Martin to cut the play out. Off the back of an offside call against Leeds, Sauaso Sue edged the Robins ahead with a try seven minutes from the break. On the last tackle, Jez Litten tried a last-ditch grubber kick which came off the post pads and into the arms of Sue.

With half time looming, a knock on by Edgell from a towering bomb combined with James Donaldson going to the sin bin led to Hull KR taking the lead; Litten kicking the penalty to make half time a two point deficit.

2nd

A poor start to the second half saw Leeds go straight on the defensive as a slip from Newman let the kick off bounce out of play. The pressure continued with two consecutive sets as Bentley was caught for a knock on, but Tanginoa’s loose carry let the Rhinos off the hook.

On 47 minutes, the home side extended their lead when Ryan Hall touched down a controversial try to the fans in the away end. May’s attempted kick came off the hands of Croft and the half back reclaimed to keep the move alive and put Hall in to score against his former club. 

More penalties against the Rhinos and consecutive defensive sets on their own line gave the visitors little chance to counter on the scoreboard. That wasn’t until Handley scored another try of the season contender.

Having noticed a tight Hull KR defence on their previous set with the ball, an intelligent kick from Croft was perfectly weighted for Handley, who raced away and evaded every retreating defender score a fantastic try. Martin added the two to make the score 14-12.

Home advantage came back into play as Hull KR benefitted again from Leeds penalties. For the second time in the game, the Rhinos found themselves down to twelve as Lisone was sent to the sin bin for a swinging high arm on Elliot Minchella.

Litten took the two points on offer to increase the lead back out to four with 13 minutes left. 

Leeds battled as Bentley’s half break looked optimistic, only for Ackers to drop the ball on the inside. Hull KR responded with a try from Hiku as he beat Edgell to May’s dab kick behind, taking the score to 22-12.

Late chances for both sides were put down by Edgell and Opacic inside the last ten minutes but it was the Robins that kept up their unbeaten start.

Match Facts

Hull KR

1. Peta Hiku, 2. Niall Evalds, 3. Tom Opacic, 4. Oliver Gildart, 5. Ryan Hall, 27. Tyrone May, 7. Mikey Lewis, 16. Jai Whitbread, 9. Jez Litten, 10. George King, 20. Kelepi Tanginoa, 12. James Batchelor, 13. Elliot Minchella

Subs: 8. Sauaso Sue, 17. Matty Storton, 19. Yusuf Aydin, 21. Corey Hall (18th Man: 30. Leo Tennison)

Tries: Sue (33), Hall (47), Hiku (72)

Goals: Jez Litten 5/5

Leeds Rhinos

29. Alfie Edgell, 24. Luis Roberts, 3. Harry Newman, 4. Paul Momirovski, 5. Ash Handley, 6. Brodie Croft, 7. Matt Frawley, 17. Justin Sangare, 9. Andy Ackers, 18. Mickael Goudemand, 11. James Bentley, 12. Rhyse Martin, 13. Cameron Smith

Subs: 25. James Donaldson, 14. Jarrod O'Connor, 15. Sam Lisone, 23. Leon Ruan (18th Man: 26. Corey Johnson)

Tries: Newman (10), Handley (60)

Goals: Martin 2/2

Sin Bin: Donaldson (39), Lisone (71)