While dissappointed of course that we allowed Wigan back into a match in which we had totally dominated and outplayed them we should give credit to the Leeds players and coaches who have continued the improvement in what is still an injury ravaged squad. ("one third of the salary cap sitting in the stand"icon_wink.gif

Those that had written Leeds off before the match should be really pleased with the performance for the majority of the match.

Unlike many I have been happy with much of what Leeds have done on attack this season but I have recognised that we needed to improve our marker defence, control of PTB speed and attacking kicking and above all cut down the basic errors. In the match last night I believe we addressed most of these weaknesses to great effect - but crucially not for the full 80 minutes.

Sinfield and Buderus (his try was pure class) were outstanding and IMO joint MOM. Burrow and Ablett also had fine games and JJB put in a huge effort.

Webb is looking faster and sharper than for some time and was involved in two or three scores, but he is guilty of making too many errors. He made 4 bad errors -two forward passes both of which cost us tries. Another error was after the Senior break when he should have passed to his right for Burrow (I think) to score, but he chose to go left into traffic and got bogged down. (His natural reaction is to move to his left so maybe I am being a little harsh) Then he cost us another try by moving within 10 metres when in an offside position. Ok we should always forgive some errors by creative players but he does have a regular problem with forward passes. It could be that Hall is running too flat because there were other forward passes to him?

Our rush defence totally upset the Wigan game plan and didn't alllow them to be on the front foot until the last quarter when some players looked very tired. For 65/70 minutes our marker defence was good but then it dissappeared and that is where Wigan hurt us.

Bailey put in some good tackles around the ruck in the first half hour but his silly facial penalty cost us field position, gave away momentum and led to their first score aided my his missed tackle. He was fairly annonomous after his first spell and made little forward progress when up against Coley & Co. Typical Bailey.

I would be interested to see the interchange timings as I get the feeling some players are were not on the pitch for long enough. We needed some fresh legs in that final 10 minutes.

However we should have had the game won in the first half and had further opportunities for more tries in the second half. I believe a turning point was when they had a man binned. We seemed to stop playing attacking rugby perhaps thinking the game was won. Also going for the 2 penalty kicks when we had them on the ropes could have been a mistake.

We should be happy that our team without key players has the ability to compete and last night was not because Wigan were bad. Like Warrington before Leeds took control and didn't allow Wigan to play. When this happens Wigan will have other bad days.

Given that we drew the game, you could argue that without going for both those penalty kicks we'd have lost the game.
I wonder how much we were affected by having 2 days less to prepare after the gruelling 1st half last week against Wakey?

Fair points

Its just that in previous seasons we would have run the ball and not taken 2 points. Given that we were opening the Wigan defence at random there was a good chance we would have scored from one of these two chances on their line.

The game changed for me when McShane stuck his hand up in the air and actually stepped aside letting the Wigan player run 60 metres for rat boy Tomkins to score. At the time we were 22-4 up 20 metres in their half and they were virtually dean and buried. McShane probably thought that there were potential tacklers behind him buy IMO offside or not he should have made the tackle and conceded the penalty and the game would have been ours.
That said with the injuries we're carrying in key positions I didnt really expected anything from a strong Wigan team but the point felt like a loss. I thought overall with the chances we made and the tries ruled out two of which would probably have been given with the cameras being there we deserved the win

Mcshane should have tackled him and conceded the penalty

Who?

Bloody ipod

See how kind I am, I didn't even quote you so everyone could see what you had done.

I thought we were going to get our s handed to us last night so I'm more than happy with the result.

I'm thankful although I'm used to looking a prat!

No worries, consider it payback for your avatars.

I noticed similar [i'more than'[/i expressions of [i'happiness'[/i from Leeds fans at the end of the game last night.

I'm glad you did and thank you for sharing that with us.

My pleasure, as always



It's been great to note all the incidences of [i'more than happy'[/i posts chocka full of bonhomie ever since yesterday's 22-22 draw which no Rhinos fan expected beyond their wildest dreams.

Not beyond my wildest dreams - I have really wild dreams.

But I'm glad you are revelling in the ecstasy of our fans which is very unusual for you. You usually so down on your fellow Leeds fans.

Disappointed at not winning but we shouldn't be downhearted. When a team gets on a roll it's very difficult to stop. Quick play the balls, forward runs down the middle, everyone gets sucked in and that left us short on the flanks. But how many times have we done that.... hell of a lot especially when we were champions, remember the same situation 6-7 years ago when we losing 22 nil was it, at home to Saints with 15 minutes to go having been totally outplayed all the match. We got on a roll and became unstoppable in those final 15 minutes, we finally won the match in the last minute.
Back to last night there are a couple of points not yet mentioned. The first, having gone 22-4 in front in our next attack we worked the ball to the left and tried to squeeze Ryan Hall in at the corner. We were in a good attacking position to keep in the middle and land a drop goal, that would have meant Wigan scoring 4 times which would have been unlikely. It was poor decision making. The second point is Silverwood could possibly have done us a favour with the Wigan penalty at the end. The way Wigan were attacking there's a good chance they would have got another try and a defeat would have hurt after such a dominating performance for most of the match. The important thing now is we must continue playing with the same intensity in future matches starting at KR. Attitude and approach often let us down.

Thought Leeds played very well and proved to any doubters that we're not finished and will be a massive force in the latter stages of the season when we've got close to our best line up. Initial reaction in the ground I was devastated but looking back now I think it was a very good nights work. A lot of Wigan fans are saying they didn't play well but I think what they fail to grasp is that they were totally dominated and not allowed to play well

The Wigan players also are showing that creeping arrogance towards the official's decisions (something we've seen plenty of from Leeds players in recent seasons.) Not understanding what constitutes dangerous play and standing their ground instead of retreating back the required ten on penalty kicks at goal. Or perhaps that was just Silverwood in awe of the Champions.



If it hasn't been mentioned on this particular thread it's certainly been mentioned on other threads and rightly so. Without Buderus conceding that final penalty there would in all probability have been a winner and a loser. That said Leeds could have been penalised on the next (and last) play of the game also and they could still have finished all square.

I still thought as Sam Tomkins (Wigan's equivalent to Danny McGuire having a shot at goal) was lining up the angled penalty that the game was still in the bag for Leeds. Fantastic pressure kick from the wrong side for a 4th choice right pegger (who'd missed one from bang in front last season at Old Trafford) not that I'd expect that to be appreciated on here anymore than St Helens fans appreciated Kevin Sinfield's last minute effort at Huddersfield in 2003.

My thoughts exactly. My exact words after they got the penalty were "he's a rubbish kicker". I didn't think he'd knock it over, even more so when I saw his almost blasé run up. Fair play to him though, great kick.

I had hoped that one or two of those whose ashes are scattered on the hallowed turf might have just got together and tripped the meerkat when he was about to kick - but alas they werent there !!

Nothing mentioned on this thread about Burrow kicking into touch on 40 minutes when a kick and chase was the best option.

I didnt think McShane was offside, and he could have had a quick look to check before making a tackle or at least get onside and then make a tackle. There was also another long run that went untackled. Watkins should not, however good it was, be admiring long passes to the winger he should be marking either!

Quote ="Chorley Rhino"Nothing mentioned on this thread about Burrow kicking into touch on 40 minutes when a kick and chase was the best option.'" This wasn't the original thread discussing Friday's game but in addition, on the Burrow point specifically, it has it's own thread here: viewtopic.php?f=17&t=488882

Quote ="Chorley Rhino"Nothing mentioned on this thread about Burrow kicking into touch on 40 minutes when a kick and chase was the best option.'" This wasn't the original thread discussing Friday's game but in addition, on the Burrow point specifically, it has it's own thread here: viewtopic.php?f=17&t=488882

Having watched again I stick with Buderus for MOM with Sinfield a close 2nd. Big games from JJB and Ablett. Kirke appeared to have made some tackles but poor go forward again. Kylie, Cross and Clarkson not on the field enough and Hauraki dissappointing. Were any of these injured?

Cross drove the ball into contact with much more momentum than Kirke or Bailey ever do and is starting to look like a the sort of prop we need.

Lack of passing skills by Webb and Senior proved costly as did Senior's woeful defence and lack of speed in those final 10 minutes.

But overall more positives than negatives.

Opta stats would suggest otherwise unless you believe thta others were equally poor re "go forward". Didn't have you down as a G1 apologist or disciple.

The stats which you usually refer to don't back your argument up re: TMFMISL.

Over to you.......

If Juan's opinion differs to yours why does he have to be an "apologist/disciple"?

FWIW, you're on the wrong track as I have praised Kirke this week (and have done so after other games this season) so Juan and I are in disagreement.

Just shows how people miss the reality of what is posted. Perhaps when I critique Kirke, Buderus or any other player people should respond to the text I write rather than a perceived agenda those unable to properly refute my opinions claim that I have.