Rhinos' 58-12 demolition of neighbours Wakefield Trinity Wildcats opened a seven-point gap at the top of engage Super League going into the second half of the season.

It came just five days after a punishing battle, in sapping heat, at Harlequins and McClennan admitted: "I was a little surprised myself.

"The needle was on empty last week when we played Harlequins and we really hit the wall, so we came out of that really well.

"The players deserve all the credit. They have done really well this week.

"It was a good effort and good for us to consolidate our position in the table."

Stand-off Danny McGuire backed up his hat-trick at Harlequins with another treble, while on-loan French Test forward Eric Anselme marked his first start with an early try.

McClennan said: "Danny backs up really well. He's got terrific anticipation and he adds to the side.

"Eric scored one of our better tries, because it showed the rest of the team you've got to be prepared to go through, not try and go around.

"We went off the back of that. Eric's a good pro', he's an international player and he's mature.

"He'll go back next week to play in his French Cup final with Albi and we wish him and his club all the best."

The coach also saluted captain Kevin Sinfield, who equalled former Wigan ace Andy Farrell's record of having scored in 48 successive Super League rounds.

"He is held in high regard at this club," said McClennan. "He's a tremendous skipper and a tremendous person.

"It's his testimonial year this year and it's going great for him. We cross our fingers that we can, as a club, do well for Kev. He always does well for us."

Wildcats' heaviest defeat since a 56-12 loss at Huddersfield 13 months ago left boss John Kear reeling.

"I thought for 25-30 minutes it was a good, competitive Super League game," said Kear.

"Then I thought for 50 minutes it was an exhibition game for Leeds. They played really well and I thought we under-performed.

"It's a slight concern because it's twice we've done this against Leeds. Fortunately for us we do get another shot at them in the very last game of the season.

"We'll have to save a good one up for Belle Vue in round 27."
Finish

Kear added: "Defensively Leeds are tough, they defend their line as if it really means something to them.

"Then when they get the ball in hand, if they break the line they end up scoring because players pour through and they've got so much speed they can finish it.

"They're a very good rugby league team – the best in Super League over the first half of the season – and unfortunately they've shown it twice against Wakefield."

Kear said he could take no positives from his side's performance. To add to his woes, Ricky Bibey suffered suspected broken ribs and Tevita Leo-Latu needed x-rays on a hand injury.

"That's Super League," said Kear. "It's not for soccer players!"
Rhinos' second string beat Wakefield 48-22 in the reserve championship curtain-raiser, with two tries each from Ben Jones-Bishop, Ben Collins and Kallum Watkins. Danny Allan, Danny Williams and Joe Howey got the others and Simon Brown kicked six goals.

Ben Grundy scored a hat-trick for Wildcats – who trailed 38-0 at half-time – and Mike Sykes also crossed, with Josh Griffin adding three conversions.