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JADED RHINOS LOOSE TO WOLVES
By leedsrhinos.biz August 3 2008
The injury hit Rhinos weren't on top of their game, and with a performance like Chris Hicks' of the Warrington Wolves, as the game progressed into it's later stages, it was inevitable that Leeds wouldn't be able to pull off yet another second half comeback, although Wire fans were silenced when Leuluai powered over from close range with only three minutes on the clock.

CODE13 Rugby League Magazine

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Match Report

Warrington Wolves 22 Leeds Rhinos 12

 Saturday 2nd August 2008, Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington

The opening exchanges of the game were dominated by the forwards, and it was clear from an early stage that the Wolves were going to give us a game; they knew this was their chance to beat the World Club Champions. A semi final defeat last weekend in energy sapping midday heat, along with the injuries that went along with it; Leeds were vulnerable.

On the ten minute mark, the Leeds defense was given a break after immense pressure by the Wolves, when Ganson gave the home side a penalty, when Ben Jones-Bishop seemed to have had the ball stolen in a two man tackle. Hicks missed to keep the score at 0-0.

It looked like the Rhinos had gotten the score board ticking on twenty six, when Senior crossed the line. But on referring to the video referee, it was clear that it was a double movement. 

Only three minutes later, Penny knocked on right in front of the Leeds line, blowing yet another chance to put six on the board. 

With thirty minutes gone, we finally got some points on the board. After an outstanding ball steal by Anselme on the Wolves thirty metre line, and a few play the balls later, Leuluai powered his way over the line for the first try of the night. Sinfield converted bang in front of the sticks and we were in the lead.

It looked like the lads would take that six point lead into half time, up until the final few minutes of the game. The dynamic series of moves from Warrington ended up in a great inside pass to King who then grounded the ball over the whitewash. Hicks failed to convert, so the Rhinos were still in the lead at half time, but only by two. Leeds’ defence was good, but our attack was easily readable. Leeds were certainly lacking second phase rugby, and were making too many mistakes. 

Just four minutes into the second half and Morley made a few metres, breaking through two Leeds tackles, before passing inside to Clarke who went over under the sticks. Hicks added the extras, but it would be his only successful conversion attempt in the game.

Six minutes later and on fifty, Wolves were given a penalty for a supposed knock on at the play the ball, although it looked like the Wire player was trying to interfere as he was regaining his feet. Two tackles later from the scrum, and it was Hicks that went over in the corner. He couldn’t convert his own try, and the score was now 14-6.

The clock was ticking for the Rhinos, and as it approached the hour mark, Warrington put together slick passing across the length of the field, to allow Hicks hicks to slide over the try line in the corner right in front of the Leeds fans for the second time. Hicks couldn’t find the boot again. 18-6.

Around five minutes later, it was looking more and more unlikely that Leeds were going to get back in the game. Twenty four year old, Lee Mitchell was the next to score for the Wire, he sidestepped past the sliding Rhinos defence and ran the remaining forty metres to score. You can see what’s coming; Hicks failed to convert, and the score was now 22-6.


On sixty eight minutes, it looked like Senior had given Leeds a lifeline when he went over, but it was called back for a forward pass by Burrow. Two minutes later and Tansey was denied after Peacock lost the ball in a tackle just metres away from the Wolves line. 


Diskin then put Leuluai over for his second, and the Rhinos second of the night. Sinfield then added the two points from his conversion attempt needed to reduce the deficit to ten points. 

Match reaction to follow! 

Warrington Wolves: Hicks, Riley, Gleeson, King, Penny, Briers, Monaghan, Morley, Clarke, Rauhihi, L. Anderson, Westwood, Grix.


Replacements: Mitchell, Parker, Cooper, Harrison.


Leeds Rhinos: Tansey, Smith, Ablett, Senior, Jones-Bishop, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Diskin, Peacock, Ellis, Kirke, Sinfield.

Replacements: Scruton, Lauitiiti, Worrall, Anselme.


Crowd: 9,150


Referee: Steve Ganson


Video Referee: TBC 

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