Coach McDermott praises Keinhorst and Ward as Leeds Rhinos dig deep to win
BOSS BRIAN McDermott saluted a 'convincing' win after Leeds Rhinos battled back to beat Hull KR 20-11 at Elland Road last night.
Hull KR led by a point soon after the interval, but Jimmy Keinhorst’s second and third tries, in the final 12 minutes, secured Rhinos’ second successive win.
McDermott said: “I thought it was a convincing win and we showed some class, but for different reasons.
“We were disjointed, the weather knocked us about a bit, we lost a couple of players and we played a really enthusiastic Hull KR team.”
Stevie Ward made his return from shoulder surgery and McDermott enthused: “When Stevie came on it changed.
“I thought we looked a bit tentative physically, but for his first game back Stevie looked pretty fit. Ryan Hall was impressive as well, he came up with some big carries.”
Keinhorst was called into the 17 in place of Joel Moon, who had a leg injury.
McDermott said: “Credit to Jimmy. He is a good player and he took his opportunity with both hands.”
Seventeen Rhinos players were flying to Australia today, with two more due to make the trip tomorrow.
Anthony Mullally (finger)was not expected to make the trip after being injured last night. Mitch Garbutt (dead leg) and Nathaniel Peteru (biceps) will also stay at home, but Moon and Brett Delaney – who suffered concussion last night – were set to make the trip.