Leeds Rhinos stars excel – but not for Great Britain Lions

No Leeds men were selected for the squad which left England last month and though Rhinos’ player of the year Ash Handley was called up as a replacement in the final week of the tour, he was not picked for the 28-10 loss to Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby two days ago.

The Kumuls were captained by Rhinos second-rower Rhyse Martin and also included Leeds prop Wellington Albert who ended last season on loan at Featherstone Rovers.

That was after Rhinos centre Konrad Hurrell had helped Tonga to a 14-6 win over the Lions in the opening game of the tour.

Castleford Tigers stand-off Jake Trueman was part of the original squad, but left on the sidelines for all four matches, including back-to-back defeats by New Zealand.

The loss to Papua New Guinea – whose side included former Castleford winger Garry Lo – was arguably the worst result in the Lions’ history and came after they had gone 10-0 ahead through tries by Blake Austin and Josh Hodgson, plus a Gareth Widdop conversion.

But Edwin Ipape sliced through the Lions’ defence on the stroke of half-time, Kyle Laybutt adding the extras and the second half was a rout as Justin Olam, Watson Boas, the former Featherstone pivot who ended the season at Betfred League One club Doncaster, Alex Johnston and Nixon Putt all crossed.

Martin’s three conversions were greeted by chants of “we’re Leeds Rhinos” from the PNG crowd and the captain was thrilled to have been part of an “historic” night for his country.

Martin said: “We turned some of their forced errors into points and then we just defended really well.

“We kept turning up for one another and kept them scoreless in that second half.”

The Lions looked set to take a 10-point lead into the break, until Ipape spotted a gap from acting-half and raced 60 metres to score.

Martin said: “That was a game-changer, a momentum-killer.

“That first 20 we just couldn’t slow them down, they were killing us through the middle, with quick play-the-ball and we were on the back foot.

“Then Edwin got out of nine, found some space and that just changed the game for us.

“Going into half-time four points down makes a massive difference.”

The Lions wilted in the heat and humidity and Martin also felt the crowd played a part.

“They are always outstanding to play in front of,” he said.

“When we are under the pump and they are cheering us on it definitely gives you a lot more energy - especially when you’re fighting some demons with fatigue.

“They definitely got us through.

“Everyone put their little bit into the game and that’s why we won, because we turned up for one another.

“As captain, I am so proud of the effort the guys put in.”