Looked like a sell out

Thought Sinfield and McGuire were absolute clear Man Of the match, either of them. A lot of players played really well, but absolutely everything came through those two. Sinfield controlling the game, and MCGuire with the quality execution.

Class analogy, just class

People have summed up the game nicely and the right players picked out for playing well so no need to spiel on.But I would just like to pick out Kylie for special praise,his first stint especially,looked like he did in his pomp ripping in on attack and defence capped with a trademark try.

As others have mentioned, our old boys, supported by Cuthbo and Garbutt played the much fancied Saints prop rotation off the park. Every one of our props played better than every one of theirs!

McGuire and Sinfield showed that they've still got the touches of class when playing behind a dominant pack - they absolutely controlled the game.

Watkins showed just how dangerous he can be when he gets plenty of ball - this is something we need to do see more consistently. We got him plenty of ball, but also last night he came looking for more ball. We know he's got the talent to be world class, and we need to exploit that more often, but he does have quiet games/spells and can be guilty of waiting for the ball and game to come to him sometimes - with the talent he has, I'd like to see him dominate more games, demand the ball and stamp himself all over games more often. He's good enough to grab a game by the scruff of the neck and take control.

I thought Leeds were excellent last night - they looked right at the top of their game. The forwards were very good they beat the Saints forwards with the speed of their footwork rather than their muscle. Peacock and Kylie were both superb as were Aiton and Ablett. Garbutt went OK and could be a good addition as the season continues. McDermott appears to have reigned in Cuthbertson which is a shame. Keinhorst showed up well again which may be useful given Ward's injury.

On the backs Watkins showed what he can do when you get him engaged - he has the potential to be one of the best centres in world rugby - either code. McGuire showed his class pity Hall had the butter fingers he should have had four at least. The pass to Handley for his try takes some ability - reminiscent of the pass to Hall in the epic Warrington play off game. Handley seems to have recovered his confidence after the Cas game.

As good as Leeds have been all season

A great performance last night and real champions' class. In a perverse way we can take some solace from the fact that you hammered a supposed challenger for the title by much more than we conceded. I honestly can't see anyone stopping you doing the double, which will be a great way for Sinfield and Peacock to bow out.

Sublime from start to finish last night.
Belting Game, surely has to be the performance of the season?
Honestly thought there was more in attendance last night? It looked packed everywhere.

And what about the Atmosphere, just like the old days in the South Stand!

Sure does build massive confidence for Wigan next Thursday.

With better execution, Leeds could have had forty by half-time. We made errors, but they were at the right end of the field and Saints couldn't capitalise.

A three man bench for large chunks of the game should have drained our energy levels, but monopolising possession in the early part of the game helped keep some gas in the tank along with - for once - decent use of substitutions by the coach.

Said after the Widnes game in the Cup that Saints wingers (particularly Dawson) defend too tight and leave space on the outside. Kev Brown exploited it a couple of times in that game with cut out passes direct to the winger, and Leeds did the same for Hall and Handley's first tries. Bit of good game planning.

I agree...Hall was guilty of missing TWO certain tries (pass from Moon? and Hardaker? Although in the second he might be excused in being so surprised at getting the pass?!

).

Leeds were totally dominant and a joy to watch. As you say also for once good use of subs (having faith in the bench players obviously makes for much better decisions from our esteemed coach).

Stats from the game superleague.co.uk/report/11119

Stats from the game superleague.co.uk/report/11119

Fully agree. Watkins had more ball as he had 10 minutes at fullback including the try he made (with McGuire) for Handley.

Cuthbertson and Sinny were pulling all the strings in the middle but Cunningham made a big error IMO by not starting LMS with Amor.
Still, not a lot a coach can do if your players drop the ball every set.

Thought our coach got it right last night.

I thought we were excellent from 1-17 and the Coach got his rotations/selections and tactics spot on.
What was pleasing was how our pack dismantled their opposite numbers especially after losing S.Ward it was also a fantastic team response to Zaks sin binning.
I was impressed with what Garbutt produced given he's only been here a week and hasn't played for a month but as i said above the whole pack were immense.
I actually thought the final score flattered them and when we get good early ball to Watkins or utilise him properly he is poetry in motion plus it's great to see young Handley regain his confidence and bag a hat-trick.
Hopefully we can back it up next week but very encouraging to see.

Prob biggest bench we've had this season and used properly. even managed to get Peacock off when he wanted to play full back for a bit.

Jp and kylie rolled backed the years with their aggression in the opening ten mins. Kev , sinny aiton and ablett controlled the game and the backs exploited it.

credit to handley for never dropping his head when things having gone right and shame jimmy didn't score.

good summer rugby for a leeds fan

One thing that's not really been mentioned is Singleton's omission, he has struggled over the last 6 weeks IMO, so maybe a week off was needed. Do people think he'll play against Wigan? I wouldn't be surprised to see him come in for Ward, and start the game at 13.

I mentioned Singleton's absence elsewhere in that he was the one left out for Keinhorst....there was no doubt Keinhorst had to be rewarded for his recent stints. No complaints from me.

You're right if poor Stevie Ward finds himself on the sidelines then Singleton seems the logical replacement to step back into the 17....otherwise no change for the Wigan match IMO.

I mentioned this elsewhere that it was noticeable how effective Watkins was running it from FB where he has more time to pick his spot to attack ...at full pace.

It's a pity we cannot find a way to combine Hardaker's undoubted superlative defensive qualities with Watkins' attacking abilities at FB. Overall Hardaker still makes the best FB (IMO) but Watkins could indeed be the nearest thing to an English Ingliss.....(Maybe swap their positions sometimes on attack !!)

I think it's possible that Hardaker will pick up a ban (no malice but dangerous technique, where have we heard that before?) in which case Watkins to fullback, Keinhorst to centre and Singleton/Cuthbertson to 13 even if Ward is fit. If both Hardaker and Ward are out we'll be seeing a back row of Ablett/Delaney/Cuthbertson (or Singleton) and Yates or Walters back on the bench.

Singleton wasn't just left out though. He has been playing with an injury for a few weeks now. I think they just took the opportunity with the players now available to do something.

And with Keinhorst I can understand some of the love in, the lad works hard and certainly has good hands. However his defence in that second half last night was pretty poor to be honest. He was getting banged off all over, and Zi wasn't surprised when they pulled him off.

hardaker shouldn't get a ban. you see that every week, simply a mis-timed tackle. I thought the yellow was bloody harsh to be honest

Hardaker will cop a ban IMO. Poor technique, once he got underneath Burns he's got a responsibility to bring him back to ground in a way that doesn't involve undue risk. Tackles like that are a hot button issue for the RFL and NRL this season after the Alex McKinnon situation.

Agreed there was no malice, but he still put the ball carrier at an unacceptable risk of injury. Grade B, 1 game ban IMO.

Kylie may only do short spells but he can't half belt the opposition back whether in attack or defence. If he stays fit he could be a big player for the business end of the season.

Mentions for Watkins, Handley and McGuire.

its consistency though andy. most tackles like that don't even get a yellow. if they all got a ban that's fine

Should be noted too that before last night Singleton was one of only 3 guys (Aiton, Ablett) to have played every single league and cup game so far this year so no real big issue about taking him out last night. Probably could do with a week or two off. Although it's through injury, if Stevie Ward misses a couple of games it'll let his body take a bit of a much deserved breather.