Leeds Rhinos 42 Wigan Warriors 12: Rohan Smith's side claim statement win to send message to Super League rivals

Leeds have claimed some impressive victories under Rohan Smith but they were still craving the kind of statement win that would make the rest of Super League sit up and take notice.

The Rhinos gave a hint of their undoubted potential against a Wigan side fresh from a 60-0 demolition of Hull FC.

Backed by a fervent crowd in their first game at Headingley in two months, Smith's team outenthused and outplayed the second-placed Warriors.

With the hugely impressive Harry Newman determined to make up for lost time on his return from suspension, the depleted Rhinos were irrepressible in the seven-try rout.

Cameron Smith produced an inspired performance in the halves in the continued absence of Aidan Sezer and Blake Austin, while Jarrod O'Connor showed he could be the answer at hooker with captain Kruise Leeming sidelined long term.

A third win in four games moves the Rhinos to within a point of sixth-placed Hull FC and gives them much-needed momentum in their pursuit of a play-off spot.

Leeds must find greater consistency in their performances if they are to reach Old Trafford but Smith's men are now armed with the belief that they can beat Super League's top sides.

Newman set the tone with a big hit on Wigan dangerman Jai Field in the opening exchanges and Leeds did not look back.

With Headingley buzzing with energy and excitement, the Rhinos hit the front as early as the sixth minute when Wigan failed to deal with Richie Myler's kick to the corner and Liam Sutcliffe pounced to touch down.

Bevan French scored seven tries against Hull to break the Super League record but he was on the receiving end of ironic cheers after dropping Cade Cust's dipping pass.

The home fans were in dreamland when Myler put James Bentley over with a nice short ball on the back of a break by the impressive O'Connor.

Rhyse Martin added the extras to both tries to make it 12-0 but Wigan soon hit back against a backdrop of boos.

Leeds pleaded with referee Liam Moore for a knock-on from French on a kick chase but their protests were ignored and they gave away a penalty out of frustration to piggyback the Warriors downfield.

In the next set, Liam Byrne kept the ball alive close to the Rhinos line to give Field the time and space to put French over in the corner.

There was a sense the tide was turning in Wigan's favour but Leeds had not read the script.