Leaders Leeds Rhinos look in a much better place after comeback win

AFTER five rounds last season Leeds Rhinos were 10th in Super League with only one win to their name.
02 August 2020. Picture James Hardisty.
Huddersfield Giants v Leeds Rhino's, in the Betfred Super League match held at Emerald Headingley Stadium, Leeds. Pictured Luke Gale, of Leeds Rhinos, celebrates with his teammates after his drop kick wins the match for Leeds Rhino's.02 August 2020. Picture James Hardisty.
Huddersfield Giants v Leeds Rhino's, in the Betfred Super League match held at Emerald Headingley Stadium, Leeds. Pictured Luke Gale, of Leeds Rhinos, celebrates with his teammates after his drop kick wins the match for Leeds Rhino's.
02 August 2020. Picture James Hardisty. Huddersfield Giants v Leeds Rhino's, in the Betfred Super League match held at Emerald Headingley Stadium, Leeds. Pictured Luke Gale, of Leeds Rhinos, celebrates with his teammates after his drop kick wins the match for Leeds Rhino's.

At the same stage now they are on a five-game hot streak, including a game against former top flight side Toronto Wolfpack which has been expunged from the season’s results and sit top of the table on points difference from Wigan Warriors and Castleford Tigers.

With a game in hand and even after the 66 points they rattled up against Toronto were wiped out, the eight-times champions are the competition’s leading scorers and have conceded fewer than any other team.

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The league ladder makes pleasing reading for a club who have battled relegation in three of the past four campaigns and sets up a mouthwatering home fixture against last year’s Grand Final winners St Helens on Sunday.

02 August 2020. Picture James Hardisty.
Huddersfield Giants v Leeds Rhino's, in the Betfred Super League match held at Emerald Headingley Stadium, Leeds. Pictured James Donaldson, of Leeds Rhinos, is stretchered off the pitch.02 August 2020. Picture James Hardisty.
Huddersfield Giants v Leeds Rhino's, in the Betfred Super League match held at Emerald Headingley Stadium, Leeds. Pictured James Donaldson, of Leeds Rhinos, is stretchered off the pitch.
02 August 2020. Picture James Hardisty. Huddersfield Giants v Leeds Rhino's, in the Betfred Super League match held at Emerald Headingley Stadium, Leeds. Pictured James Donaldson, of Leeds Rhinos, is stretchered off the pitch.

Leeds’s latest victory, in their first match since Super League was suspended due to coronavirus in March, was a dramatic 27-26 success against Huddersfield Giants two days ago.

Giants were the better team for 68 minutes and led 26-6, but Leeds scored four tries in the closing stages to send the game into extra-time, when Luke Gale’s drop goal won it.

It equalled Rhinos’ greatest comeback, a 30-20 victory over St Helens in 2003 after they had trailed 20-0 and though he knows his men were second-best for long stretches, coach Richard Agar feels they can take great heart from their late rally.

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“It was a great learning curve for use – new rules and a new style of footy,” said Agar of Leeds’s
first game under the six-again law.

“We have had a couple of games where we’ve been front-runners and they have been good victories and a couple where we’ve been down and come back and got ourselves together.”

Agar admitted: “Of course we want to improve,” but stressed: “At the same time we played with tremendous spirit and I thought we scored some outstanding tries again. When we held the ball we had a bit of energy.

“With 15 minutes to go they’d had 50 play-the-balls – that’s nearly 10 sets – more than us, but we came home flying and I think that’s a good sign.”

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Forward James Donaldson is a doubt for Sunday’s game due to a back injury, but Agar is confident Richie Myler (head) and Konrad Hurrell (shoulder) will be available.

Meanwhile, Championship side Featherstone are seeking formal talks aimed at securing a place in Super League for 2021.

Rovers, who missed out on promotion to the top flight after losing to Toronto in last year’s Grand Final, want to take the place of the Canadian side.

The Wolfpack withdrew from the 2020 competition during the coronavirus stoppage after hitting major financial difficulties.

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Featherstone offered to take their place immediately while London Broncos, who were relegated last year, were also suggested as a potential alternative to keep the competition at 12 teams.

A decision was made for Super League to continue with 11 teams, with Toronto’s results being expunged from the league table, but the situation for 2021 is yet to be determined.

Toronto are hoping to return but would need approval.

With no automatic promotion or relegation due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Featherstone believe they can make a strong case to replace them.

A statement from the club read: “Featherstone Rovers are seeking formal discussions with Super League officials and the RFL (Rugby Football League) to be permitted to play in the Betfred Super League in 2021.

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“Featherstone Rovers believe that the club is best positioned to fulfil any vacant positions within Super League due to the impressive infrastructure that has been developed at the club over previous seasons.”

Chief executive Davide Longo added: “Our performances on the field are consistently high, the club’s facilities meet the regulations imposed by Super League and we have a strong following of passionate supporters who engage with the club’s fantastic off-field operation.

“Featherstone Rovers has arguably been one of the best and most consistent teams outside of Super League for the past 10 years.

“This shouldn’t be overlooked and cannot be challenged by any other club below the elite division. With the possible opportunity to play in the 2021 Super League, I am certain this great and traditional rugby league club would thrive at the highest level.”

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Toronto suffered administrative problems that were exacerbated by the pandemic.

Super League confirmed the club’s participation agreement - the terms clubs must meet to play in the competition - has been terminated, reflecting “the seriousness of the breach of contract” by the club.

A statement read: “The Wolfpack would now have to enter into a new participation agreement before being able to play in the competition in 2021.

“As previously stated by Super League and the RFL, any application received from the club will be given full and timely consideration.”

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Meanwhile, Leigh owner Derek Beaumont has revealed he also wrote to the RFL with a view to the Centurions taking Toronto’s place in Super League this year.

He also says in a statement he offered Toronto the use of Centurions players but this approach “wasn’t even acknowledged or declined”.

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