Luke Gale’s Challenge Cup masterclass takes Leeds Rhinos back to Wembley

THE last thing Leeds Rhinos’ Cameron Smith needed on his return from a broken jaw was another head clash with his very first carry.

That is just what happened moments after he came off the bench in Saturday’s Coral Challenge Cup semi-final against Wigan Warriors.

However, just like his relentless team as they powered their way to Wembley, Smith emerged better off; it was Wigan defender Sam Powell who stayed grounded, dazed and receiving treatment, left in the loose forward’s wake as he charged on.

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Admittedly, by the end of it all, Smith’s head was spinning, too, but only at the dizzying prospect of facing Salford Red Devils in the final on Saturday week.

Speaking to The Yorkshire Post, he said: “I was saying the other day how, as a young kid, you always dream about doing this.

“To do it at 21 – and there’s a couple of us in the side who are 21 and even younger – is great; people go their full careers without getting the chance to play at Wembley.

“I feel just blessed and these are the reasons why we play the game.”

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Almost to emphasise the point, their Wembley opponents Salford have not been in a Challenge Cup final since losing to Castleford – Smith’s hometown team – in 1969.

Off we go: Rhys Martin scores the Rhinos' opening try.  Picture Bruce RollinsonOff we go: Rhys Martin scores the Rhinos' opening try.  Picture Bruce Rollinson
Off we go: Rhys Martin scores the Rhinos' opening try. Picture Bruce Rollinson

Having suffered his fractured jaw in a training ground collision with team-mate Mikolaj Oledzki, Smith faced a race against time to be ready for this game which Leeds – mastering the truly dreadful rain and windy conditions – had in full control after building up an impressive 20-0 lead.

But it is a sign of how much confidence head coach Richard Agar has in the young forward that he was brought straight back into the squad.

“I would have put my hand up and played against Catalans last Wednesday but I didn’t get the all-clear,” explained Smith.

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“I didn’t get that from the doc’ until Friday: Rich told me at the team run that I’d be playing.

Wembley-bound: Luke Gale was the star as 
Leeds Rhinos knocked out Wigan Warriors to reach the Challenge Cup final. Picture Bruce RollinsonWembley-bound: Luke Gale was the star as 
Leeds Rhinos knocked out Wigan Warriors to reach the Challenge Cup final. Picture Bruce Rollinson
Wembley-bound: Luke Gale was the star as Leeds Rhinos knocked out Wigan Warriors to reach the Challenge Cup final. Picture Bruce Rollinson

“I wasn’t sure if I’d get in or not. I was just trying to do everything I could do to get back on the pitch and Rich has been kind enough to put me straight back in.

“It’s just one of those things. I was doing my bit – keeping fit, training hard – and then I’ve got back in and it’s paid off.

“I copped one on the chin with my first carry and that was bound to happen! But it was good for the confidence.”

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As was watching scrum-half Luke Gale’s kicking game peg favourites Wigan back constantly in that dominant first half, including a masterful 40/20 that led to Rhyse Martin’s opening try.

Happy days: Tom Briscoe celebrates scoring the Rhinos third try.
  Picture Bruce RollinsonHappy days: Tom Briscoe celebrates scoring the Rhinos third try.
  Picture Bruce Rollinson
Happy days: Tom Briscoe celebrates scoring the Rhinos third try. Picture Bruce Rollinson

Wigan’s pack ordinarily snarls and bites but they were made to look meek by Rhinos’ forwards and Agar’s side were almost error-free leading up to half-time.

“I had to adapt my style of play with the conditions,” said Smith.

“I normally like to throw the ball around a bit so Rich spoke to me just before the game and said to almost just get it up my jumper and just grind it out.

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“I thought our gameplan was spot on; Galey’s kicking game probably won us the match with just how precise it was and a big play from a 40/20 as well.”

Martin’s third penalty after winger Ash Handley had added his second try – Tom Briscoe also scored on the stroke of half-time – meant the West Yorkshire club were 26-0 up after 71 minutes.

Wigan are fancied to win Super League but Leeds, who sit in fourth ahead of Thursday’s game against Castleford Tigers, showed their own title credentials here.

Very handy: Ash Handley celebrates his second try for Rhinos.
 Picture Bruce RollinsonVery handy: Ash Handley celebrates his second try for Rhinos.
 Picture Bruce Rollinson
Very handy: Ash Handley celebrates his second try for Rhinos. Picture Bruce Rollinson

Gale utterly outplayed Man of Steel Jackson Hastings while, in targeting left winger Joe Burgess with his piercing kicks, he managed to keep dangerman Bevan French out of the game.

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Frustrated Wigan never truly threatened and flattered the scoreline when Harry Smith and Zak Hardaker scored converted consolation tries in the final minutes.

Smith explained: “Everything we spoke about was just our start: when we’ve played Wigan in the past we’ve given ourselves too much to do early on in the game.

“I feel like that’s the first time they’ve had a bit of adversity against them or been put under the pump and faced with carrying it from their own line.

“We came out firing and it set the tone for the game then.

“We’ll celebrate this – it’s not every day you win a semi-final is it? – and then get stuck into Cas.”

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Leeds Rhinos: Myler; T Briscoe, L Sutcliffe, Hurrell, Handley; Lui, Gale; Seumanufagai, Leeming,Oledski, Mellor, Martin, Prior. Substitutes: Dwyer, Smith, Holroyd, Donaldson.

Wigan Warriors: French; Manfredi, Hardaker, Bibby, J Burgess; Leuluai, Hastings; Harvard, Powell, Partington, Isa, Farrell, O’Loughlin. Substitutes: Bullock, Greenwood, Shorrocks, Smith.

Referee: Chris Kendall (Huddersfield)

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Thank you

James Mitchinson