Hull KR 16 Leeds Rhinos 41: Slick Leeds power on but Harry Newman suffers agony

Today’s 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, with medical staff fearing he had broken both his tibia and fibula.

For those lucky enough to be here for this latest behind-closed doors encounter, 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 ground.

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.

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 and Toronto Wolfpack winger, produced a remarkable try-saving tackle on Kruise Leeming, Joe Keyes probed well from half-back and his former Bradford Bulls team-mate 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.

Shaun Kenny-Dowall, shifted to the wing with Jimmy Keinhorst returning at centre after his loan with York City Knights was, as ever, was superb.

Still, the difference in class was clear and it is easy to see why Leeds - who host Catalans Dragons on Wednesday before a Cup semi-final with Wigan Warriors - 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.

Gale should have scored soon after but Myler - who broke through - made his one glaring error with a forward pass - but they soon added to their efforts.

Rovers were unlucky in being penalised for a ball-steal when a Leeds player clearly lost possession trying to offload under heavy pressure and, from there, James Donaldon raced on to 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, again, 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, Minchell doing the initial damage, Tate chiming in well and then Jez Litten’s crossfield kick being palmed down perfectly by Rawsthorne for Keinhorst to scramble over.

Ryan Brierley converted but Handley got his second soon after the restart and then made the break that left to Gale sending Alex Mellor over for Leeds’ sixth try.

Gale and Myler linked as crisply as ever to fashion space for Luke Briscoe to score and, though Kenny-Dowall finished well for a consolation, Gale rounded things off with a drop goal.

Hull KR: Tate; Rawsthorne, Keinhorst, Livett, Kenny-Dowall; Keyes, Brierley; Garbutt, Litten, Maher, Gee, Peteru, Mulhern. Substitutes: Murray, Trout, Minchella, Harrison.

Leeds Rhinos: Myler; T Briscoe, Newman, Sutcliffe, Handley; Lui, Gale; Seumanfagi, Leeming, Oledzki, Mellor, Martin, Prior. Substitutes: Donaldson, Holroyd, L Briscoe, Cuthbertson.

Referee: Jack Smith (Wigan)