HULL KR DROP TO BOTTOM OF SUPER LEAGUE AFTER DEFEAT TO LEEDS Newman’s leg injury takes gloss off Rhinos victory
LEEDS RHINOS continued their impressive form with another efficient victory over Hull KR but it was overshadowed by a horrific injury to their talented young centre Harry Newman.
The Super League game was held up for more than 10 minutes as the 20- year- old received lengthy on- field treatment in the first half before being stretchered off and taken straight to hospital.
Newman suffered a suspected double leg break and coach Richard Agar revealed afterwards that medical staff also feared he had broken his hip.
Fortunately, that was not the case but the severity of the injury was instantly obvious; his shrieks of pain after attempting to make a tackle in the 31st minute pierced through from the other side of the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
It is a significant blow for a player whose career is blossoming such that it is not far- fetched to suggest he could play for England at next year’s World Cup.
For now, though, the only aim is to successfully recover from this serious injury.
“You could hear those shrieks so we knew,” said Agar.
“We love Harry to bits. The world’s at his feet and he’s got selection in the England squad this year so it’s a huge blow for him.
“But we’re right there with him and we’ll do the utmost to keep his spirits high and get him the best possible care in a tough time.
“It was typical Harry, though; coming off on the stretcher he gave us the old thumbs up to us in the stands. He’s a great rugby league player and a great kid.”
Leeds, who were 18- 0 ahead at the time, did not let the setback unsettle them as they clinically backed up Friday’s 48- 18 Challenge Cup win over the same opponents.
With Luke Gale and Richie Myler in such cutting form with their distribution out wide, they were able to unpick their opponents regularly enough to never be worried and comfortably secure a fourth straight win.
Rovers, in fairness, played their part and battled away throughout.
Tony Smith made 11 changes to the side that lost last week and plenty of those who gained a chance, took it with both hands.
Most impressive was the 18- year- old Will Tate, who looked accomplished and dangerous on his senior debut at full- back. The Skirlaugh youngster will certainly be one to look out for.
Nick Rawsthorne, the former Halifax winger, produced a remarkable try- saving tackle on Kruise Leeming and Elliot Minchella – ill for the Cup tie – once more proved why he is every inch a Super League player against the club that let him go.
Former Kiwi Shaun Kenny-Dowall was supposed to be rested and had a heavy weights session on Wednesday but came in yesterday morning when a player reported ill. He was superb.
Still, the difference in class was clear and it is easy to see why Leeds are increasingly looking like a title- chasing side.
Rhyse Martin crossed as early as the fifth minute before Myler’s first injection of class saw Ash Handley get over for his ninth try of the season. Next, James Donaldson raced onto Robert Lui’s inside pass to score with his first touch off the bench.
After Newman’s injury, Rovers forced a drop- out only to see Kyle Trout spill on the first tackle but they were unfortunate as Gale’s pass that set Liam Sutcliffe clear to feed Myler looked forward.
Still, Smith’s side scored just before the interval with a fine try finished off by Jimmy Keinhorst on his return from a loan deal at York City Knights.
Ryan Brierley converted but Handley got his second soon after the restart and then made a break that led to Gale sending Alex Mellor in for Leeds’s sixth try. Gale and Myler linked to fashion space for Luke Briscoe to score and, though Kenny- Dowall finished well for a consolation, Gale replied with a drop goal.
Rovers fall back to bottom but Smith said: “A lot of these guys needed a chance to have a crack as some have been training a very, very long time with no game – and no reserve grade – to get ready.
“There was no other way than to throw them in. I thought Will Tate was good. It wasn’t a perfect start for the kid but he enhanced his reputation.
“He showed some real maturity at different stages and some real pieces of class. The only disappointment for Will is his parents weren’t allowed to be here to see his first ever game which is a real shame. The sooner we can get crowds back in the better.”
Hull KR: Tate; Rawsthorne, Keinhorst, Livett, Kenny- Dowall; Keyes, Brierley; Garbutt, Litten, Maher, Gee, Peteru, Mulhern. Substitutes: Murray, Trout, Minchella, Harrison. Leeds: Myler; T Briscoe, Newman, Sutcliffe, Handley; Lui, Gale; Seumanfagi, Leeming, Oledzki, Mellor, Martin, Prior. Substitutes: Donaldson, Holroyd, L Briscoe, Cuthbertson. Referee: Jack Smith ( Wigan)