Hall of Fame
Leeds Rhinos continued where they left off against Hull KR with a comfortable 30 – 10 victory against the Huddersfield Giants at the Galpharm Stadium.
Two tries from Brent Webb and Ryan Hall, plus a Jamie Jones – Buchanan effort, extended the visitors unbeaten start to the season.
Fresh off last weekends opening match, Leeds looked to overcome their local rivals by bringing in 20 year old Ryan Hall for Lee Smith, who was left out the squad despite his two tries against Rovers.
The Giants, on the other hand, made several key changes from the 2007 campaign with Paul Whatuira, Luke Robinson and George Gatis all making their debuts in front of a new Galpharm Super League record crowd of 15,629.
Prior to the match, Giants coach Jon Sharp demanded that consistency was pivotal to his teams play off ambitions.
However, after three minutes it seemed his words had no effect as the Rhinos took an early lead.
A delicate kick through the Giants defence saw Brent Webb pick up the loose ball and cross the line to silence the majority of the Galpharm faithful. Kevin Sinfield duly converted to make it 6 – 0, which also saw him extend his scoring run to 43 successive matches.
The Giants went in search for a quick response, which they got through Rod Jenson but the Rhinos were quick to show why they are reigning champions with two further tries through Buchanan and Webb, giving them a 16 – 4 lead.
Despite Webb’s two tries, it was Hall who ensured he took the headlines with his first try coming on the stroke of half time.
The ever present Ali Lautiiti quickly off loaded the ball to Hall, who then sprinted half the pitch to put the Rhinos out of sight.
Hall then added a second just after half time after intercepting a pass from Kevin Brown to give the Rhinos a 28 – 4 lead.
The Giants added a consolation try through Robinson but Rob Burrow ensured the two points went to the visitors with a late penalty kick.
After the match, Rhinos coach McClennan was quick to praise his sides defence.
“They had a lot of gang-tackling in the first half which burnt up a lot of energy and we could see that. I was really pleased with our defence. Our ruck defence was excellent.”
Teams
| Huddersfield: | Thorman, Elford, Whaturia, Wild, Jensen, Brown, Robinson, Crabtree, Hudson, Griffin, Lolesi, Snitch, Raleigh. |
| Replacements: | Gatis, Skandalis, Mason, Cudjoe. |
| Leeds: | Webb, Donald, Toopi, Senior, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Diskin, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Ellis, Sinfield. |
| Replacements: | Lauitiiti, Bailey, Kirke, Ablett. |
| Referee: | Ian Smith (Rotherham) |
