Leeds sinners in legend’s return

KEVIN SINFIELD’S return to Leeds as director of rugby was supposed to herald a bright new era for the ailing champions.

Instead, the Rhinos were taken to the cleaners in his first game in charge to suffer a recordextending eighth successive Super League defeat.

The loss leaves them in ninth place and staring at the grim prospect of a relegation dogfight.

If Sinfield cannot negotiate an escape route in the remaining three games of the regular season, the Rhinos will be forced to scrap it out in the dreaded Qualifiers as they did two seasons ago.

That would be a serious indignity for Leeds and indeed for Sinfield, who captained the club to seven Grand Final wins at Old Trafford.

The legendary former standoff, who replaced the axed Brian McDermott last Friday, said: “I’m disappointed but the best team won and I thought the damage BELTED: Sinfield endured a tough start to his tenure tries from Greg Eden, Quentin Laulu-Togaga’e and Matt Cook put the Tigers 16-10 ahead at the break. The second half was the Jake Trueman show as the 19-year-old bagged a brace and set up two more for Jesse Sene-Lefao as Leeds wilted. Castleford coach Daryl Powell said: “Trueman is going to be an outstanding player and he was excellent today. “Leading up to the game, it was all about Leeds and what had happened there with Brian Mac leaving. We had to focus and make sure the story on Monday was about us.” DANNY McGUIRE scored a hat-trick as Hull KR thumped Salford 52-22 to claim their first consecutive top-flight wins in more than three years. THE SCOUT