Sutcliffe not worried by Rhinos’ poor form

Thursday night’s 24-22 home defeat to Huddersfield Giants was a third loss in four games for a side that topped the table for much of the first half of the campaign.

When asked if there is any added concern, young stand-off Sutcliffe maintained: “Not really. We know what we need to do to get things right. That (Huddersfield) was an improved performance on last week when we beat Leigh in the Challenge Cup.

“We’ll get there in the coming weeks. It was pretty gutting to lose against Huddersfield. We thought we got the try at the end to nick the two points, but the video ref thought something else.

“I did think it was a try. They were both going for the ball and as Brisc goes he can’t really change his motion. I thought it was a try, but it just wasn’t to be tonight.”

Leeds had battled back from a 24-12 deficit with tries from Ryan Bailey and then Sutcliffe, his fifth of the season, to still have a chance of victory as they desperately kept the ball alive after the final hooter.

Tom Briscoe chased down Joel Moon’s frantic kick but was adjudged to have shoved Huddersfield captain Danny Brough just prior to scoring.

Meanwhile, after some impressive showings from the bench, it was Sutcliffe’s second consecutive game starting at half-back alongside captain Kevin Sinfield.

With Danny McGuire injured, the 19 year-old has come in and shown more signs of developing into the club’s long-term playmaker.

“I’m getting more confident as it comes,” he said. “It’s a bit different. Obviously Kev’s the leader but as the other half-back you have to try and fill in that role as well and be a leader too.

“I’m getting used to that now, being a bit more bossy and trying to get the team around the pitch which Kev’s been great helping me to do as well.”