Friday, September 18, 2009

Leeds 44-8 Hull KR

Leeds (10) 44
Tries: Smith 2, Webb, Lauitiiti 2, Peacock, Hall, Senior Goals: Sinfield 3, Smith 2
Hull KR (8) 8
Tries: Fitzhenry Goals: Dobson 2

Ali Lauitiiti
Lauitiiti's power up front caused problems for Hull KR

Leeds recovered from a shaky first-half performance to reach the next stage of the Super League play-offs.

Hull KR had Chev Walker stretchered off in the first half with a broken leg.

But Leeds were far more creative after the break with tries from Ali Lauitiiti (2), Jamie Peacock, Ryan Hall, Lee Smith and Keith Senior.

The Rhinos will now have next week off and then have their choice of opponents for their qualifying semi-final in a fortnight's time.

The Robins will have another chance to advance when they play in the preliminary semi-finals next week.

Leeds restricted the visitors from the start and it was no surprise when they took the lead after six minutes.

Danny McGuire's kick to the corner was easily caught by Scott Donald who offloaded back for Smith to race in for his 48th try in 100 appearances.

They almost added another two minutes later with a lovely flowing move involving Smith, Carl Ablett and McGuire, but McGuire dropped the ball with the line at his mercy.

Walker's injury, after he went down awkwardly in a tackle with Senior, was a cruel blow with Shaun Briscoe, Ben Galea, Scott Murrell, Ben Cockayne and Jake Webster already absent for the Robins.

606: DEBATE
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Justin Morgan's Hull KR side dug deep and got themselves back into the game when an error by Smith gifted possession 20 metres from the Leeds line.

From the resulting scrum, Daniel Fitzhenry sidestepped through for a try which was given by the video referee and Michael Dobson added the extras.

Dobson then extended the lead with a penalty after Kevin Sinfield's goalline dropout went straight out of play.

Leeds needed something to spark them to life and on 32 minutes they got it when a Lauitiiti pass left a gap for Brent Webb to go over and Sinfield's goal gave Leeds a two-point lead.

The Rhinos again looked less than fluid at the start of the second half but they extended their advantage on 50 minutes when the Hull KR defence failed to deal with McGuire's high kick and Senior and Hall combined to send Lauitiiti powering over.

Lauitiiti struck again five minutes later after Leeds were awarded a penalty for a high tackle on Peacock and play was shifted out wide for the New Zealand-born Samoan international to again go over.

From then on it was all Leeds and Peacock himself got on the scoresheet when he used his power to get the ball to the line, although the video referee needed a close look before awarding it.

Super League's top try scorer Hall raced through to score his 30th try of the season while Smith took advantage of a lucky bounce to get his second before Senior finished off the rout with a long-range try.

Leeds coach Brian McClennan:

"We got the win so that gives us a chance to have an extra week's preparation for the next game.

"I thought it was a poor standard game. I've been so excited about the final series and thought it was scrappy. We were poor, I don't think Hull KR were that great and I don't think the officials were great either.

"It's not a great start for the final series and I hope it can get better than that. I hope we can lift our standard."

Hull KR coach Justin Morgan:

"I was proud of the efforts but we came here to win. I don't think the scoreline was a true reflection of the game.

"We came up short and we'll be upset for 24 hours before we get ready for next week.

"We'll bounce back. We don't sulk and feel sorry for ourselves. I'm still very confident in the ability of our team. Adversity makes you stronger."

Leeds: Webb, Donald, Smith, Senior, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Diskin, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett, Sinfield.
Replacements: Lauitiiti, Kirke, Bailey, Worrall.

Hull KR: Fitzhenry, Fox, Walker, Welham, Colbon, Cooke, Dobson, Fozzard, Fisher, Wheeldon, Newton, Vella, I'Anson.
Replacements: Lovegrove, Netherton, Gene, Taylor.

Referee: S Ganson (St Helens)

ะพ 11:54 AM

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