Leeds Rhinos: YEP Jury give their verdicts

KATIE BURROWS

How refreshing to be able to write about a good Rhinos performance and, more importantly, an away win!

We showed a lot of determination and composure at Hull last Friday, even though it looked like we might lose the game at times. Our early try, and a Hull drop goal just before half-time, did leave me thinking ‘here we go again’, but we managed to play as a team for a full 80 minutes and I think we deserved to come away with the two points.

My first impressions of James Segeyaro are good; he definitely looked ‘up for it’ and seems to have fitted in well despite only being here a week or so. Our goal-line defence was impressive as well – there is still room for improvement of course, but if you compare how we’re defending now to what we were seeing earlier in the season I think we should be pretty happy.

On a less positive note, it’s very noticeable when playing a team like Hull that the quality of our kicking in general play is not up to scratch at the moment. I thought Mark Sneyd was great in that department and I feel it’s one area that certainly needs to be addressed ahead of next season.

On top of that, Liam Sutcliffe’s goal kicking needs to be better – the possibility of us losing games based on missed kicks is a real likelihood and a definite cause for concern. This goes back to one of my comments earlier in the season that Brian McDermott needs to decide who our first-choice kicker is going to be and use them in this role week in, week out.

We can’t keep chopping and changing between Sutcliffe and Jordan Lilley, and then becoming frustrated when they don’t deliver after little practice.

I’m really looking forward to this week’s game against Wigan, and our last home fixture of the regular season. I’d like to see us put in another solid performance and, even though I’m not expecting us to win, if we at least play well, we should feel confident heading into the Qualifiers.

We might still be bottom of the table, but it’s looking like we’re coming into form at the right time.

ELIZABETH HAWKHEAD

Leeds played with purpose and drive at ‘top of the league’ Hull last week. They were strong in defence, and innovative and decisive in much of the attack.

I was particularly impressed with Leeds’ second-half performance.

For much of the season we have only been able to compete against teams for 50-75 per cent of the game but, on Friday evening on the east coast, Leeds battled for the full 80 minutes to take the two points.

James Segeyaro had huge expectations on his shoulders, and he delivered!

It was hard to believe he had only trained for a couple of days with the team; he brought some creativity that has been lacking all season and the ball he delivered to Kallum Watkins for the last try was ‘a beauty’.

It was heartening to see the left-wing combination of Ryan Hall and Joel Moon link up again for the first-half try – they make it look so easy, but play like this has been missing for the Rhinos whilst they have both been injured.

Maybe we can finally hope that the season is ‘on the up’. If we can win the last two games we are in with a chance of finishing ninth or 10th which would give us four home ties.

No Championship side will relish a trip to Headingley where points should be difficult to win.

LUKE CROSSFIELD

Friday night saw a great display against Hull FC and another away win.

It was a good start from James Segeyaro on debut and that pass to Kallum Watkins for the winning try was brilliant. Many times this season we have crumbled under the slightest of pressure from the opposition; not last Friday.

Watkins had his best game by a country mile and Ryan Hall was creating havoc on his wing. His catch to set up Joel Moon for his try was like watching us last year. Mitch Garbutt did a great job in the middle, making metres.

Wigan tomorrow night will be tough, as always.

The Warriors have not been great this season but they are top of the table. I put that down to the structured rugby they play.

ANDREW RICHARDSON

The arrival of James Segyaro appears to have lifted the Rhinos, who ground out an impressive comeback over Hull. This week Leeds play Wigan, who will be without Sean O’Loughlin. Regardless of league position it’s always a high-intensity fixture – and tomorrow will be no exception.

THOMAS LAWRENCE

Wow! Another away win after what was a superb performance at the KC Stadium on Friday night!

It was great to see Leeds much closer to full strength and, more importantly, finding an edge on the opposition and exposing it to clinch a win!

James Segeyaro definitely made an impact, Ryan Hall looks to be getting back to his old self, and, if he tightens up a few aspects of his defensive play, Liam Sutcliffe has got very good potential as a full-back. However, not as a goal kicker – that should be left to Jordan Lilley (if playing) in my opinion.

All Leeds can do for two more weeks is restore some pride ahead of the Middle Eights. Upsetting Wigan tomorrow evening would be very nice …

ANDREW SUTCLIFFE

A good, deserved win on Friday against the top team and finally looking something like a Rhinos team we are used to.

The forwards were strong and stood up, allowing James Segeyaro to control the ruck and free up space for the backs. On to tomorrow, and I can see another close win for Leeds.