Jimmy’s hat-trick rescues Rhinos
THE SUPER League champions will fly out to Australia today on the back of a bruising and uncomfortable victory.
Brian McDermott’s Leeds face NRL kings Melbourne Storm next Friday in the World Club Challenge for the right to call themselves the best club side on the planet.
After this error-strewn display from the Rhinos at Elland Road, Melbourne will hardly be quaking in their boots. Jimmy Keinhorst’s hat-trick was a highlight, but for much of last night Leeds were awful.
There was the added concern of loose forward Brett Delaney suffering concussion and prop Anthony Mullally dislocating a finger, while stand-off Joel Moon missed the match altogether with a leg injury.
Rhinos legend Danny McGuire faced his former club for the first time since leaving and the match, played across town due to redevelopment at Headingley, drew a crowd of 16,149. Tim Sheens’ newly-promoted Hull KR, overflowing with self-belief and energy, surged into a 10-0 lead inside the opening quarter.
McGuire dovetailed well with Super League debutant Chris Atkin, and Rovers’ opening try came in the 18th minute when Andrew Heffernan sent winger Ryan Shaw surging clear down the right flank.
Three minutes later, a pass from Atkin ushered full-back Adam Quinlan over the line from close range. Leeds hit back when Aussie prop Adam Cuthbertson galloped under the posts before producing a fine pass which sent Keinhorst over in the left corner.
Atkin’s drop-goal three minutes into the second half gave Rovers a slender lead before Keinhorst’s second in the 67th minute put Leeds ahead for the first time, surging clear inside the left channel. He added a late third to make the score more respectable.
DALE FERGUSON, Darnell McIntosh and Jordan Turner all crossed for tries as Huddersfield easily saw off Warrington with a 20-6 victory at the John Smith’s Stadium.
The visitors had started well, Tom Lineham scoring the first try of the night after just four minutes. But when Ferguson struck back and Danny Brough converted with the first of his four goals, the Giants eased into a lead they would never relinquish.