2019

With director of rugby Kevin Sinfield taking the reigns for his first full season at the club, Leeds were hoping to overturn the form of last season and compete in 2019. Instead the season saw plenty of changes as the club fought for their Super League status once again.

The new season had Rhinos fans excited, due to the signings of Tongan wrecking-ball Konrad Hurrell and decorated Australian forward Trent Merrin from the NRL. There was also change in the coaching ranks with former Rhinos player David Furner returning to the club as head coach. Tongan half back Tui Lolohea also joined up with his new club along with Callum McLelland, who made his return from rugby union to sign with the Rhinos. Luke Briscoe and Dom Crosby signed extension contracts following their spells in blue and amber in 2018 and free agent James Donaldson earned a one year contract after impressing during an early trial period.

With the ?45 million redevelopment of Emerald Headingley Stadium reaching it?s conclusion, Leeds? opening four games were on the road, starting with Warrington Wolves, who had been tipped for cup success with the signing of half back Blake Austin. Only Stevie Ward scored for the Rhinos as they were defeated 26-6 by Steve Prices side, who led by 20 points at the break. It would be a short turnaround for Furner?s side as they took on the reigning Super League Champions Wigan at the DW Stadium six days later; Adrian Lam?s side taking the spoils with a 34-16 victory.

Furner would get his first win of the new season against Salford Red Devils in round three; full back Jack Walker scoring a hat trick as Leeds claimed a dominant 46-16 win. Even the league leaders and eventual Grand Final winners St Helens were pushed by the Rhinos; the visitors dropping a 22-10 advantage to lose 27-22 at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

The start of March was optimistic both on and off the field. A good performance against the Saints saw Leeds return home to Emerald Headingley, which opened it?s doors for the first time in hte 2019 season. Wakefield Trinity made the short trip north and frustrated the home side with a 35-18 win, Wingers Tom Briscoe and Ash Handley scoring for the Rhinos.

Hull FC, London Broncos and Catalans Dragons also claimed wins over Leeds though out the month, sending them towards bottom of the Super League table, before Brad Dwyer?s drop goal in golden point extra time sealed a 21-20 win over Castleford Tigers. Having not beaten the Tigers since 2013, tries from Konrad Hurrell, Ash Handley, Liam Sutcliffe and Trent Merrin were matched by the visitors to Emerald Headingley, locking the scores up at 20 all after 80 minutes. With extra time being used for the first time in the Super League, Dwyer stepped up to slot the goal from over 40 metres out.

Hurrell?s four tries against Hull KR a week later couldn?t salvage a point as Leeds lost 45-26 at Craven Park before the Rhinos entered the Challenge Cup, facing off against League One side Workington Town. Youngsters Owen Trout, Callum McLelland and Muizz Mustapha made their first team debuts in the thirteen try blitzing; Leeds progressing through with a 78-6 win.

Back in the league, the Rhinos were dominant on Good Friday, beating Huddersfield Giants 38-18 thanks to tries from Tom Briscoe, Brad Dwyer, James Donaldson, Tui Lolohea and Ash Handley. Although they were defeated by Wakefield on Easter Monday, their winning form was quickly restored against fellow strugglers Hull KR; Ash Handley continuing to build his try scoring tally with two in the 28-24 win.

Defeat against Salford at the start of May would be Dave Furner?s last game at the club, seeing assistant coach Richard Agar step up as interim head coach. Kallum Watkins also announced his departure plans prior to the Challenge Cup clash against Bradford Bulls, which Leeds lost by two points. The official opening of the new North Stand at Emerald Headingley was also overshadowed by Castleford, who recorded a 30-8 defeat as the Rhinos continued to slip down the table. It would take until the end of the month for Leeds to find their feet, beating London Broncos at the Dacia Magic Weekend by two points. Richie Myler and youngsters Harry Newman, Jack Walker and Handley were all on the board as the Rhinos picked up an important two points.

The club?s season took a turn for the best following the win at Anfield. Six signings were announced during the month of June starting with Huddersfield back rower Alex Mellor, who would join the Rhinos for 2020. Jack Walker penned a lengthy five year deal and Brad Dwyer also extended his contract in the same week as Leeds prepared to travel to Wakefield. In a tight encounter, a late Tui Lolohea effort split the two teams to help the visitors to a 10-0 win.

Wigan and St Helens both beat Leeds following that result, as the Rhinos stayed in the relegation fight. Kallum Watkins left for NRL side Gold Coast Titans and was replaced by Trent Merrin as captain. The club also swapped Salford half back Robert Lui and former Rhino and current Hull KR hooker Shaun Lunt with Tui Lolohea and Matt Parcell prior to the first visit of Catalans Dragons. Leeds ran out to a 31-12 victory over their French counterparts, with Lui impressing on debut. The trip to Castleford a week later coincided with the arrival of Papua New Guinea international back rower Rhyse Martin, who debuted in the 18-10 win at the Jungle. Trent Merrin, Jack Walker and Rob Lui scored the tries as Leeds beat the Tigers away for the first time since 2015.

Elsewhere, Leeds Rhinos Women retained the Coral Women?s Challenge Cup, beating Castleford Tigers Women at the University of Bolton Stadium. Tries for 16 year old winger Fran Goldthorp, full back Caitlin Beevers and half back Courtney Hill ensured Adam Cuthbertson?s side took the first silverware of the season with a 16-10 win.

Back in the Betfred Super League, following defeats to both Hull KR and Hull FC, the Rhinos began to pull themselves towards safety, thanks to dominant wins over Huddersfield and Catalans. Ash Handley marked his 100th Rhinos appearance with two tries in the 44-0 demolition of the Giants and scored two more against Catalans a week later to help Richard Agar?s side to a 48-8 victory.

Defeat at home to St Helens meant that a win against bottom club London Broncos at the start of September was paramount if the club wanted to seal their place in Super League in 2020. Tries from top try scorer Handley, Luke Briscoe, Brad Dwyer, Ava Seumanufagai, Liam Sutcliffe and two from Jack Walker sealed the two points, mathematically securing the club?s safety with two games remaining.

A home defeat to Salford saw the retiring Jamie Jones-Buchanan score his final club try before he departed against Warrington Wolves a week later. The match against the Wolves marked both the end and start of playing careers; Jones-Buchanan and Carl Ablett both departing whilst academy hooker Corey Johnson made his first team debut off the bench. Liam Sutcliffe, Rob Lui, Adam Cuthbertson and Luke Briscoe crossed for Leeds? tries, with Jones-Buchanan kicking his one and only conversion for the club to go out with a 26-4 win.

In the Women?s Super League, the Rhinos Women were crowned Betfred Women?s Super League Champions for the first time with a 20-12 win over Castleford Tigers Women. Player of the match Fran Goldthorp stole the show with her two tries, whilst Abby Eatock and Elle Frain also scored to claim Leeds? second piece of silverware in 2019.

The World Cup nines competition in Sydney followed the end of both the men?s and women?s regular seasons, with Ash Handley, Dannielle Anderson and Caitlin Beevers representing England and Rhyse Martin being called up for the PNG Kumuls. Konrad Hurrell was also included in Kristian Woolf?s Tonga side that faced Great Britain as the Lions toured New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

On home soil, Mikolaj Oledzki, Cameron Smith and Harry Newman were named in the England Knights squad that faced Jamaica at Emerald Headingley in a historic fixture between the two nations.

Alongside the retiring Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Carl Ablett, Ashton Golding departed the club after spending the season on dual registration with Featherstone Rovers. The full back joined Huddersfield Giants on a three year deal whilst Matt Parcell also signed a permanent contract with Hull KR after his successful loan spell.