Warrington 4 Leeds 40: Rohan Smith's influence clear as Rhinos dismantle Wolves

The Australian encourages enterprising rugby and that is exactly what he got from his team at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Smith's fingerprints were all over an eight-try demolition that hinted at a brighter second half of the Super League season for the men from Headingley.

The Rhinos backed themselves with the game in the balance and were rewarded handsomely, scoring three tries in five minutes towards the end of the first half to end Warrington's challenge.

Zak Hardaker and Kruise Leeming stood up in key moments and they were ably assisted by a dominant pack and two wingers who had a field day.

David Fusitu'a and Ash Handley both helped themselves to doubles, with Leeming, Hardaker, James Donaldson and Bodene Thompson getting in on the act in a memorable 40-4 win in Warrington's backyard.

It would have been even better for the Rhinos but for Rhyse Martin having a rare off night from the tee, missing five of his nine attempts.

A fourth victory in five games takes Leeds above the Wolves in the Super League table and one point off the play-offs, an achievable goal on the evidence of Friday's display.

In the first of six consecutive matches on the road for Smith's side, there were tangible signs of progress.

It was a lively start with both teams making ground with ease in their early sets.

The Rhinos hit the front in the seventh minute but not before surviving two major scares.

On both occasions, Warrington cut Leeds open on the visitors' left edge only to bomb seemingly certain tries.

First Oliver Holmes slipped close to the tryline following a break by Connor Wrench before George Williams failed to take advantage of Daryl Clark's burst into Rhinos territory.

The hosts were quickly made to rue those missed opportunities, Fusitu'a opening the scoring thanks to the vision of Leeming.

After putting Cameron Smith through a hole, the hooker got into acting-half for the last play and found Fusitu'a with a neat lofted kick to the corner.

The momentum swung in Warrington's favour after a forward pass by Hardaker from a tap on his own 20 and the home team eventually made the full-back pay.

Leeds showed good commitment to hold up Peter Mata'utia and Williams but that only delayed the inevitable with Matty Ashton finishing acrobatically in the corner.

The concession only served to spark Leeds into life as Smith's side ruthlessly took the game away from the shellshocked hosts despite the loss of Morgan Gannon to a head injury.

The try that put the Rhinos back in front was straight off the training ground, Richie Myler sending Hardaker clear with a superb tip pass back inside with Leeming in support to add the finishing touches.

With Warrington on the ropes, Leeds landed two more telling blows as boos rang out at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Hardaker displayed good strength and agility to score the first try of his second spell at the club before Donaldson finished off another scintillating passage of play.

After a break down the right wing by Fusitu'a, Blake Austin kicked to the opposite corner where Handley and Liam Sutcliffe combined to put Donaldson over.

Warrington were there for the taking in the second half but Leeds initially took a measured approach, accepting the two points on offer through Martin after Matt Prior was caught by a high shot.

Smith went close after a burst down the left wing by Handley and Thompson had a try chalked off for a double movement as the Rhinos continued to dominate.

There was the odd flicker of life from Warrington, Matt Davis failing to finish off a break by Ashton and Williams almost intercepting a pass close to his own line.

But from the resultant scrum, Handley scored a walk-in try after the Wolves got their numbers all wrong on the short side.

Thompson went over from dummy-half to spark jubilant scenes in front of the away end and the Rhinos were not done there.

Fusitu'a completed his double from close range and Handley had the last word, racing 95 metres after picking off a pass from Williams to score his second and crown an unforgettable night for Smith's men.

Warrington Wolves: Widdop, Wrench, Mata'utia, King, Ashton, Ratchford, Williams, Philbin, Clark, Cooper, Currie, Holmes, Magoulias.

Substitutes: Bullock, Davis, Mulhern, Amor.

Leeds Rhinos: Hardaker, Fusitu'a, Martin, Sutcliffe, Handley, Austin, Myler, Oledzki, Leeming, Tetevano, Thompson, Gannon, Smith.

Substitutes: Prior, Dwyer, O'Connor, Donaldson.

Referee: Jack Smith.