2012

If Leeds did the impossible in 2011, what were the chances they would replicate it again for the 2012 season? The Rhinos kept rewriting history in 2012, winning a third World Club title, a sixth Grand Final and their iconic captain Kevin Sinfield becoming the club?s all-time greatest points scorer.

The arrival of forwards Richard Moore and Darrell Griffin was the only preseason business for the Rhinos as they looked to lock down their star players on contracts and promote the young talent progressing through the Academy. Stevie Ward, Brad Singleton and Liam Hood were all included in the 25-man squad for 2012, with German international Jimmy Keinhorst also stepping up throughout the season. Two months into the season, Shaun Lunt was a final arrival at Headingley, joining on loan from Huddersfield.

After another confident preseason, beating Wakefield and Featherstone, Leeds began their title retention at home to Hull KR. A hat trick by Kallum Watkins, who had been promoted to wear the number three jersey, helped Leeds to a 34-16 win.

An away trip to Wigan ended in defeat before Leeds faced Manly in the World Club Challenge. Headingley would host its first World Club tie in its history, after Elland Road had hosted all of Leeds? other ties against the NRL premiers. Over 21,000 packed into the stadium to see the Sea Eagles, who had beaten New Zealand Warriors 24-10 in the NRL Grand Final and were looking to make it a second scalp over the five-time Super League champions. Kallum Watkins put Leeds up early on before Ryan Hall scored one of the competition?s most memorable tries, sprinting 90 metres to score under the posts. Brett Stewart hit back for Manly, but Hall was in again Leeds to lead 16-06 at half time. Ben Jones-Bishop and Carl Ablett capped off the win for Leeds, winning 26-12.

The World Champions continued to rise with four consecutive wins putting Leeds second behind Warrington. Wins over Widnes, Castleford, Warrington and Salford set the Rhinos out as competition favourites. Zak Hardaker, Ryan Hall and Kallum Watkins were leading the clubs try tally for the season, with the Rhinos looking to form one of the best back lines in the league.

Hardaker was the only try scorer as Leeds were defeated 6-46 by St Helens and was over again in the 12-22 loss to Huddersfield the week after. The local rivalry with Bradford also went down as a loss, as the Bulls fought to win a close 12-4 match.

Three games at Headingley would stop Leeds? losing streak, including a Challenge Cup round four win. Starting against London, all the Rhinos? tries were scored by their backs. Ryan Hall got four tries whilst Ben Jones-Bishop and Zak Hardaker both got doubles to give the Rhinos a 52-10 win.

Wakefield in the Challenge Cup didn?t prove top opponents either as Leeds made it back to back wins since the start of the season. Another double by Hardaker, another win as Leeds strolled through to the next round 38-18 victors.

Round 12 saw Catalans Dragons and Shaun Lunt arrive at Headingley, with Lunt becoming an instant star and the Dragons being sent home with a 34-18 loss. Lunt scored his first Leeds try whilst Jones-Bishop scored a double.

Salford City Reds lost a 10-06 lead in the Challenge Cup fifth round as Lunt got on the scoreboard again. Webb and Jones-Bishop were also on the scoreboard as Leeds were matching their league form from 2011, laying fifth with a quarter final coming up.

Hull FC left it late to win 20-34 against the Rhinos before Leeds met Leigh Centurions in the Challenge Cup quarter finals. The Championship side were in fourth place and vying for promotion but were humbled at Headingley. Ten different try scorers ran riot with Sinfield and Hall scoring doubles to send Leeds through with a 60-12 win.

St Helens completed a league double over Leeds, winning 18-31 at Headingley before all fourteen sides moved to Manchester for the Magic Weekend. Facing local rivals Bradford, the Rhinos were back at their best, thanks to the help of Danny McGuire. Five tries by the scrum half was the highlight of the match and possibly the weekend as Leeds won 37-22.

The hype of the Magic Weekend was nullified when Wigan and Warrington both pushed heavy losses on Leeds to push them down to eight. The round three replay against Wakefield came two days after England faced the Exiles at Langtree Park. The six players that represented England were all in action against Wakefield, winning 44-40.

Jones-Bishop, Hall and Burrow all scored doubles against Castleford Tigers as Leeds got a second win with a 40-22 win. London weren?t safe from the onslaught either as they went down 58-12 courtesy of four Danny McGuire tries.

The arrival of Hull FC on Armed Forces Day saw Leeds fashion a new shirt for another win. Kept scoreless for most of the match, Hull couldn?t break Leeds? stride as the Rhinos made it a fourth win on the bounce.

Huddersfield?s Galpharm Stadium would once again host a Challenge Cup semi-final as Leeds took on Wigan in a replay of last season?s final. Ryan Hall, Ben Jones-Bishop and Zak Hardaker were over in the first ten minutes to put Leeds up 16-0. Wigan fought back to 16-12 but Leeds had other ideas as Ryan Hall was went in the corner again. Ryan Bailey and a second from Jones Bishop stood Leeds in good stead at 30-20 at half time. Hardaker got his second and Sinfield kicked a decisive drop goal to send Leeds back to Wembley with a 39-28 win.

Back at Headingley, Kallum Watkins was the standout performer in a 34-16 win over Bradford in round 21. An away defeat to Wakefield was counteracted by a point win against Hull KR. A McGuire double and a Sinfield drop goal put Leeds up to fifth.

68-24 was the score line against Widnes Vikings as Leeds nearly had the whole starting thirteen on the scoresheet. Hall and Hardaker both got two tries whilst Bailey, Lunt, Moore, Delaney, Griffin, Leuluai, Ward and Keinhorst all contributed to the twelve try drubbing.

With another Challenge Cup final looming, Perpignan wasn?t the most ideal match up as Leeds lost 34-38 to Catalans. A week later, hopes were high that Leeds could produce a win at Wembley. Warrington were the opponents and favourites after their convincing 30-06 win in 2010. Joel Monaghan and Ian Kirke exchanged tries as Leeds took an 8-6 lead. Adrian Morley haunted his former side to put the Wolves 10-12 ahead which Warrington improved to 10-29, claiming the cup. Two tries by Kallum Watkins were conciliations as Leeds claimed a third runner up medal.

To end the season, Leeds made light work of Salford, winning 46-12 at Headingley before crashing to a 24-48 loss away at Huddersfield to finish fifth for a consecutive season.

The playoffs awaited starting against Wakefield at Headingley. Like in 2011, Leeds made it safely through to the preliminary finals with a 42-20 win, thanks to a Ben Jones-Bishop hat trick. Back on the plane to Catalans, Leeds were looking for their first away win in the south of France since 2010. Youngster Stevie Ward as well as Shaun Lunt, Carl Ablett and Danny McGuire all scored to give Leeds a 27-20 win at the Gilbert Brutus and put the club through to their sixth semi-final in as many years.

Another semi-final for the season, same opposition as Leeds travelled to Wigan?s DW stadium hoping for a similar result. A point would separate the sides at full time as the game was a real arm wrestle. Kallum Watkins scored an interception try to put Leeds in the lead and with two successful penalty goal from Sinfield, Leeds led 10-0. A 30^th minute drop goal seemed out of the ordinary as Leeds had to muscle up in defence for the second half. Harrison Hansen and Pat Richards gave Wigan the lead but another penalty from the boot of Kevin Sinfield edged Leeds ahead once more. A late drop goal effort from Brett Finch went well wide, sealing Leeds? place in the Grand Final.

Back on the familiar stage of Old Trafford, the Grand Final seemed more like a home coming for Leeds after Kevin Sinfield had lifted the Super League trophy six times. It was the first time Warrington had competed on English rugby league?s grandest stage and got on the board first through Richie Myler, who split the defence to score. Leeds fought back when Carl Ablett collected a bouncing ball to send Sinfield over in the corner. A penalty gave Leeds a two-point advantage before Ben Jones-Bishop fended off two defenders to score in the corner. Joel Monaghan put the Wolves within two points and Brett Hodgson levelled the scores at 14-14 with a late penalty. Ryan Atkins took advantage of a Hardaker mistake to put the Wolves ahead once more but as the clock hit 60 minutes, it was Leeds? time to shine. Carl Ablett powered over to put Leeds two points ahead before the centre put Ryan Hall in the corner to win the game 18-26 for Leeds, who claimed their seventh title.

Off the field, Ryan Hall was the only Leeds player to receive a place in the Super League Dream Team making his third appearance. Jamie Peacock was awarded the Spirit of Rugby League award, after being awarded his MBE at the start of the season. Zak Hardaker was the final winner on the night, claiming the young player of the year.

Internationally, for the autumn internationals against Wales and France, seven players were selected for England. Carl Ablett, Rob Burrow, Ryan Hall, Zak Hardaker, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Kevin Sinfield and Kallum Watkins were all part of Steve McNamara?s side that comfortably won their three games. Hardaker, Ben Jones-Bishop and Chris Clarkson were all selected for the England Knights matches in June, beating Ireland. Shaun Lunt was added in September before he moved back to Huddersfield at the end of the season. Liam Hood was also selected for Scotland. Departures from the club included Brent Webb, Liam Hood, Weller Hauraki, Jay Pitts and Lee Smith who joined Wakefield halfway through the season.