'Appalling' ref, play-off pessimism and Lachie Miller worry: Leeds Rhinos fans upset by loss to Wigan Warriors

The defeat means Rhinos are set to finish second in Betfred Super League after leading the table for much of the season. Our panel were unhappy with referee Liam Moore, but more disappointed with Rhinos' performance in the biggest game of the year so far.

Here's what they made of it and their thoughts on Friday's final game of the weekly rounds, at home to Hull FC.

KATIE MARCZYNSKI

As Saturday's match kicked off, I said the night had the feeling of a Grand Final. The atmosphere was electric and Headingley was bouncing. I just hope that’s not our only taste of the big stage this season.

Losing Lachie Miller inside the first 10 minutes hurt us and there were some questionable decisions from the man in the middle, but neither of those things cost us the game. As usual, we were our own worst enemy. You cannot defend like that - or in our case, fail to defend - against a team as good as Wigan.

They clearly had a game plan to expose our edges and it worked perfectly. That’s not particularly difficult given we’ve a makeshift winger in Harry Newman on one side and a nearly 39-year old Ryan Hall on the other.

We didn't just lose to Wigan, we were humiliated. We’ve topped the league for the majority of the season, so to fall at the final hurdle is a bitter pill to swallow. At this rate I can’t see us even reaching the Grand Final, let alone winning it. I hope I’m wrong but, even with a few players due back, I’m not hopeful.

A convincing win over Hull FC will hopefully help us regain some much-needed confidence heading into the play-offs. After that, we’ll see.

DAVID MUHL

If, at the beginning of the season, someone had offered me second place and a home semi-final in the play-offs, I would have bitten their hand off. Before the game I was optimistic Leeds could do it, but Wigan blew us away in the second half and seven tries to one shows how complete their victory was.

I thought after the first half we were still in with a shot, but Wigan put their foot down and blew us out of the water. There’s no doubt Wigan are a great team, but they did not need the help of Liam Moore.

I’ve seen some bad refereeing performances over the years, but this one was up there with the worst. I do question how a Wigan-based referee is allowed to referee such an important game involving Wigan.

There were some positives. Tom Holroyd played really well as did Matt Lodge, but the loss of Lachie Miller was devastating. If it is a hamstring tear that could be season-ending and although Chris Hankinson fills in, he’s not a natural full-back. Seeing what Brad Arthur does for the rest of the season will be interesting.

Special mention must go to the crowd who were immense and created an atmosphere I haven’t seen for years. We’ve still a chance to put things right by beating Wigan in the Grand Final, but there’s a lot of work before that happens.

I think the final score did flatter Wigan slightly. I don’t think we were 32 points worse than them, so I’m disappointed - obviously I wanted us to win - but not too downhearted. We have a good team and some players due to return from injury. The likes of Keenan Palasia and James McDonnell will make a big difference. I have confidence we can regather and bounce back.

IAIN SHARP

King Pyrrhus of Epirus, who defeated the Romans at the Battle of Asculum in 279 BC, just a few weeks after Jeff Grayshon made his first rugby league appearance, was the first hit on the old chestnut about losing a battle to win a war and so Leeds have been forced to lick their wounds after the defeat to Wigan.

Leeds will naturally cite the eighth-minute departure of Lachie Miller with what looks like a hamstring injury, as the major disruptor of the game plan and the thing that gave Wigan the edge to lay the platform of their victory. The league leaders’ shield is the lowest of the three domestic trophies on offer and I think pretty much everyone would forgo the winning of it in return for the bigger Grand Final prize.

So, regroup and onwards to Friday and the potentially tricky game against Hull FC at home. Yes, Hull have been garbage all season, but like some of our lesser West Yorkshire neighbours, FC only seem to be able to turn it on against either Hull KR or Leeds.

BECKY OXLEY

The season's largest crowd created an incredible atmosphere. The programmes and Golden Gamble tickets I was selling were completely sold out before the match and I was hoping for a Rhinos victory.

The event was a double header, also featuring the Rhinos women competing against Wigan women and, regrettably, the Rhinos suffered defeat in both rather one-sided matches. The men never truly engaged in the game, mirroring the women’s performance.

We struggled to make progress and, in my view, our wing play was sluggish. Lachie Miller's early exit after just a few minutes may have contributed to this disruption. I typically refrain from commenting on the referee to avoid stirring controversy, as I believe we must adapt to the officiating. However, it genuinely felt as though he was favouring Wigan, given the number of decisions that went their way. It was appalling and I dread to think how many points we lost due to his mistakes.

It now seems likely the league leaders’ shield will be heading to Wigan, but it's not over until the fat lady sings. There remains a possibility Catalans could defeat Wigan and we could secure a win against Hull. Given our significant points difference, that would keep the shield in Yorkshire.

Regardless, we will have a week off for the first round of the play-offs. Let's rally behind the team this Friday night and aim to conclude the season on a positive note.

TOM GOLDSWORTHY

In what was our first real attempt to win some silverware since 2020, Leeds did not rise to the occasion and were taught a lesson by Wigan who leapfrogged us into first. Leeds did not do enough to win the game anyway, but the referee's performance needs to be mentioned.

Liam Moore was very lenient with the Warriors’ high tackles and knock-ons, but was very happy to blow his whistle at the first sign of a Leeds error. Leeds did not deserve to win the game, but it does not help when the referee is seemingly against you as well.

Wigan were a level above us on Saturday, but Leeds did not do themselves justice. It was a soft performance from the Rhinos who let the Warriors bully them across the pitch.

We never recovered from Lachie Miller going off injured early, but losing one player to injury should not lead to a capitulation like that. I don’t think Brad Arthur got it right tactically either. Whatever the plan was to keep Bevan French quiet, it did not work at all as he masterminded the Wigan win and put Brodie Croft and Jake Connor to shame.

My worry for the rest of the season is that heads will drop and we will have lost that momentum which kept us in first for the majority of the season. Looking back to last season, we never looked the same after the surprising loss to Catalans at home and I fear we will see a repeat this year.

However, with a game against FC and a week off before the home semi-final, it gives the team a chance to reset physically and mentally, learn from the lessons of last year and hopefully give ourselves the best chance of getting to Old Trafford.