McDermott keeping Hardaker grounded

Super League: Leeds Rhinos’ coach Brian McDermott refused to get too carried away by the impact of youngster Zak Hardaker – who impressed in the Headingley club’s win over Castalan Dragons last Friday.

The 19-year-old made the most of his call-up with two sparkling tries in the 30-6 victory to take his tally to three in just two Super League appearances.

“I’m not getting carried away because he scored two tries but I thought he had a good game,” said McDermott.

“It’s good to know he is a threat when we put him in.”

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McDermott admitted the margin of his side’s victory over Catalan failed to reflect the battling efforts of the Frenchmen.

“It was a tough game,” said McDermott. “We had a fair share of defence to do. I would say that was the toughest Catalan team I’ve seen for a while. They don’t go away and they don’t get lazy around the ruck. Their goal-line defence is hard to break down.

“It was a very greasy ball and that had a bearing on the game. I thought the conditions hampered their attack and they are missing some players, especially (Scott) Dureau, which hindered them.”

Leeds were indebted to captain Kevin Sinfield, who has played every minute of every game so far this season and had a hand or foot in three of their five tries as well as kicking five goals.

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“He’s managing games for us at the moment,” said McDermott. “I thought his kicking great was great, it suffocated Catalan.”

Ryan Hall and Kylie Leuluai scored the tries that put Leeds 12-0 up while the 19-year-old Hardaker made the most of his call-up with two sparkling tries to take his tally to three in just two Super League appearances.

“I’m not getting carried away because he scored two tries but I thought he had a good game,” said McDermott. “It’s good to know he is a threat when we put him in.”

Catalan coach Trent Robinson said: “I thought we deserved better. We stuck it to them and defended really well but our attack cost us in the end with the questions we didn’t ask.”