Big Mac’s calling for ref justice

LEEDS coach Brian McDermott has hit back in the pre-match mind games over the obstruction rule.

Wigan counterpart Shaun Wane highlighted his frustration at the rule in the wake of a disallowed Joe Burgess try at Catalans last weekend.

Wane also said he would consider dropping any player that deliberately played for a penalty while defending.

But McDermott (above) responded: “I hope they play and don’t go on about lead-runners all the time.

“They’ve been banging on about them this year and I agree with Shaun Wane – the try they had disallowed against Catalans was silly. But I don’t think the referees have got it wrong.

“Just because Wigan use an incredible amount of those block plays – they could build 25 houses of concrete blocks – they are going to suffer more. But I don’t think anybody’s got it in for them.

“I don’t know whether Shaun Wane is trying to play a game there and influence referees.

“But I do hope we don’t see any influence of his comments on the game.”

Rhinos captain Kallum Watkins committed his future to the club until the end of 2021, while centre Jimmy Keinhorst has joined Widnes on a month’s loan.