Leeds Rhinos’ 2024 Betfred Super League season came to an end at Sewell Group Craven Park as the Rhinos were defeated 26-16 by Play Off bound Hull KR in round 27.

A tight first half saw Leeds, who came into the game with a chance of finishing in the top six, test the second placed Robins; however, three tries from the home side in the second half closed out the visitors’ campaign.

One change for Brad Arthur’s side saw Luis Roberts come back into the side for the first time since the away defeat to St Helens in place of David Fusitu’a. It was Roberts’ final outing for the club along with Rhyse Martin, who was moving to Hull KR in 2025, and James Donaldson, who faced his former club.

Nothing could separate the sides in the first half, although the Rhinos had the best of the chances.

The opening ten minutes saw both sides try to find their feet, even though a seemingly wet pitch wasn’t doing them any favours. Hull KR’s Matty Storton came closest to recording a try scoring effort, but the forward couldn’t keep hold of a pass from close to the try line. Leeds countered with their best chance of the opening exchanges as Jack Broadbent let Alfie Edgell take a high kick, but as the Leeds full back smuggled the ball away, Harry Newman chose  to go for the try line himself, instead of putting Riley Lumb in for a walk in. 

The Rhinos weren’t made to rue the opportunity though as they scored the games opening try on 17 minutes. Off the back of a late hit on Newman by Peta Hiku, Leeds made sure to come away with points as Rhyse Martin barrelled his way through tackles to find the try line for tenth time in 2024. The back rower was unlucky not to add the conversion too as the ball struck the uprights.

Sensing Leeds were building into the game – Martin going close to another try – the home side answered Martin’s effort with former Leeds man, Matt Parcell. Utilising an offside against the Rhinos, the Robins went searching with James Batchelor, who broke the line and offloaded for Parcell to score under the posts on 24 minutes. 

As the half wore on, Hull KR’s errors once again proved to be their downfall as the Rhinos added a second try to re-take the lead once again. Tom Opacic’s eagerness to play the ball saw the centre lose the ball close to his own try line, and Alfie Edgell was able to benefit as the full back took the ball through the tackles of Hiku and Storton to score. Martin was good with his conversion to make the score 10-6 with 11 minutes left.

Despite the Rhinos’ pressure in the first 40 minutes, tries either side of half time helped the Robins get a foothold in the contest. Luck was on Willie Peters’ side as a swirling kick from Lewis caught Edgell out in his own in-goal and Hiku followed up to get his hand on the ball. Then seven minutes into the second 40 minutes, pressure on Leeds forced Lumb to concede a tackle on the last within his own 20 metre area, and off the back of the pressure, Lewis set up Tom Opacic with a drive for the line to take the score to 14-10.

Ryan Hall, who is departing the Robins to join the Rhinos in 2025, was denied a try as Croft was obstructed in the build up, but an error from Luis Roberts shortly after led to Sauaso Sue crashing over from short range. Lewis converted as the score moved to 20-10 entering the final 20 minutes.

Chances were few and far between for the Rhinos, who came up short as James McDonnell was caught on the last tackle by Hull KR defence. Up at the other end of the field though, the Robins finished the game off as Hiku forced an offload out wide to Burgess, who finished in the corner to make the score to 26-10.

As the game wound down through the final ten minutes, Leeds found one last hurrah to cap off their season. Having tested Hull KR’s goal line defence off the back of a break from Lumb, Andy Ackers made sure he finished the year with a try as he got over for his first score in blue and amber.  However, it was too little too late as the scores finished at 26-16 to Hull KR.

Match Facts

Hull KR

36. Jack Broadbent, 35. Joe Burgess, 1. Peta Hiku, 3. Tom Opacic, 5. Ryan Hall, 7. Mikey Lewis, 21. Tyrone May, 8. Sauaso Sue, 14. Matt Parcell, 16. Jai Whitbread, 17. Matty Storton, 12. James Batchelor, 11. Dean Hadley

Subs: 10. George King, 9. Jez Litten, 15. Sam Luckley, 37. Jack Brown (18^th Man – 30. Leo Tennison)

Tries: Parcell (22), Hiku (38), Opacic (47), Sue (60), Burgess (69)

Goals: Lewis 3/5

Rhinos

29. Alfie Edgell, 24. Luis Roberts, 4. Paul Momirovski, 3. Harry Newman, 33. Riley Lumb, 6. Brodie Croft, 7. Matt Frawley, 17. Justin Sangare, 9. Andy Ackers, 8. Mikolaj Oledzki, 16. James McDonnell, 12. Rhyse Martin, 13. Cameron Smith (C)

Subs: 11. James Bentley, 14. Jarrod O’Connor, 25. James Donaldson, 15. Sam Lisone (18th Man – 30. Tom Nicholson-Watton)

Tries: Martin (17), Edgell (32), Ackers (78)

Goals: Martin 2/3