As Super League celebrates 30 years here's 10 of Leeds Rhinos' most controversial, weird or unusual moments

From prop-forward Danny Ward’s drop goal at Hull in 2001 to the dubious try awarded to St Helens in last season’s elimination play-off, there has rarely been a dull moment for the eight-time champions. Here’s our selection of 11 of the most bizarre moments in Leeds’ Super League history.

2001: Danny Ward’s drop goal. Rhinos trailed 6-0 to Hull FC at the Boulevard when, for reasons best known to himself, prop Danny Ward - who was celebrating his 21st birthday - kicked what was the only drop goal of his career. The tactic worked as an understrength Leeds team went on to win 15-6.

2001: Foot of God. Leeds were attacking St Helens’ line during a play-off tie at Knowsley Road when the home side’s scrum-half Tommy Martyn spotted a spare ball on the pitch and kicked it infield, forcing the referee to pause play until it was removed. The brief break allowed Saints’ defence to regroup and the attack came to nothing. Saints won 38-30 and questioned about his gamesmanship, Martyn said “it was the foot of God”.

2003: Ball smuggling. Hull FC hooker Lee Jackson pulled a fast one during a play-off tie at Headingley. The ex-Leeds man hid a ball behind his back when his side kicked for touch from a penalty. With Leeds caught off guard, he tapped the ‘wrong’ ball and raced over for a try. It should have been ruled out, for a second ball on the pitch, but match officials, including the video referee, didn’t spot what had happened and the score was awarded. Rhinos won the game anyway.

2006: Ice, ice baby. Around 2,000 fans were inside Headingley Stadium for a Friday night derby with Castleford Tigers in 2006 when referee Phil Bentham ruled the pitch unplayable because of a frozen stretch in front of the South Stand. Leeds were keen to play, but Tigers felt conditions were unsafe. The game went ahead in spring conditions two days later and Rhinos won 66-14.

2007: Tansey’s Magic try. One of the most infamous incidents in Super League’s history occurred in the last match of the first Magic Weekend, in Cardiff. Rhinos were trailing Bradford Bulls by two points in the final seconds when they were - controversially - awarded a penalty. Kevin Sinfield’s kick hit the crossbar and rebounded to Jordan Tansey who touched down for the winning try. Referee Steve Ganson awarded the score without consulting his video assistant and replays showed Tansey was clearly offside when the kick was taken.

2009: Was he offside? Rhinos beat St Helens 18-10 in the Super League Grand Final, their third successive Old Trafford success against the same opponents. Leeds were leading by a point with eight minutes left when Lee Smith scored a converted try from Danny McGuire’s kick. Referee Steve Ganson handed the decision upstairs and video official Phil Bentham gave the green light, though Saints fans still claim Smith was offside.

2010 Danny McGuire and the Rugby Gods. Rhinos hit back to beat hosts Wigan Warriors 27-26 in a thrilling play-off tie, but at a cost as Danny McGuire ruptured anterior cruciate ligaments in the final seconds when he collided opponent George Carmont. Wigan players reckoned the contact had denied them a winning try and showed no sympathy for the stricken Leeds man. Sky Sports pundit and former Wigan player Phil Clarke later accused McGuire of cheating and said of his long-term injury: “Perhaps the rugby Gods have punished him for his unsportsmanlike play.”

2014: Sinfield’s red card. Rhinos’ legendary captain Kevin Sinfield was sent-off only once in his legendary career, during a derby against Castleford Tigers at Headingley. Referee Ben Thaler produced the red card and Sinfield was subsequently banned for two games for butting Luke Dorn.

2023: Phantom punch. Rhinos’ James McDonnell was sent off after a touch judge reported he had thumped St Helens’ Jonny Lomax during a game at Headingley. The 12 men went on to lose to a golden-point drop goal, but McDonnell’s resulting two-match ban was overturned on appeal when footage showed no evidence of a punch and that Lomax was bleeding before the alleged incident.

2023: Nene Macdonald released. Later that season, Papua New Guinea centre Nene Macdonald was booked on a flight back to England following paternity leave in Australia, but failed to turn up. Though he had just signed a four-year contract, he was released by mutual consent so he could stay in Australia. He signed for Salford Red Devils a few months later.

2025: Left to Wright. Though not in so many words, the RFL admitted video referee Chris Kendall was wrong to overrule on-field official Jack Smith and award St Helens a reviving try in last season’s play-off at Headingley. The converted score, with five minutes left, cut Rhinos’ advantage to two points and Saints won it with a try after the hooter.