Leeds Rhinos Nostalgia: McGuire and McKenna at the double as ruthless Rhinos crush the Bulls

UNDER NEW coach Tony Smith, Leeds Rhinos finished top of the table for the first time in 32 years at the end of the 2004 Super League campaign.
Bradford Bulls' Iestyn Harris tries to get past Leeds' Danny Ward and Jamie Jones Buchanan.Bradford Bulls' Iestyn Harris tries to get past Leeds' Danny Ward and Jamie Jones Buchanan.
Bradford Bulls' Iestyn Harris tries to get past Leeds' Danny Ward and Jamie Jones Buchanan.

Rhinos led from start to finish before going on to win their first Grand Final, but it was a game in August which convinced fans it really might be their year.

Arch-rivals Bradford Bulls, including former Leeds star Iestyn Harris, had high hopes of derailing the Rhinos express, but were crushed 40-12 by a ruthless performance which thrilled a full house of more than 21,000.

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The victory opened a seven- point gap at the top of the table and left Leeds one win away from the league leaders’ shield, which was achieved the following week against Castleford Tigers.

It was a sweet success for Leeds who were involved in off-field wrangling with their West Yorkshire neighbours over past and future Rhinos stars.

Rhinos were threatening legal action over Harris signing for Bradford following his return from rugby union in Wales – and they were also keen to recruit Bulls forward Jamie Peacock, an approach which was rejected by the Odsal outfit.

When it came to action on the field, Rhinos were on top from the first minute as Danny McGuire skipped round full-back Stuart Reardon.

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Chris McKenna prevented Lesley Vainikolo – battling with McGuire to be Super League’s top try scorer – from touching down before crossing for Leeds’ second try.

Another, from Ali Lauitiiti – and Kevin Sinfield’s third goal – made it 18-0 after just 15 minutes and Leeds were 26-0 ahead at the break.

McGuire raced over from half-way and then McKenna went over for his second touchdown.

The only disappointment on a memorable night for Leeds was not keeping a clean sheet.

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Marcus Bai increased their lead six minutes into the second half, but Bulls broke their duck when Logan Swann went over.

Sinfield booted a penalty – contributing to his final tally of six goals – and Rhinos eased up after Jamie Jones-Buchanan grabbed their seventh try 17 minutes from the end.

Harris made a personal point by scoring a late consolation try, Paul Deacon adding his second conversion.

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MATCH STATS

Leeds Rhinos 40 (Tries: McGuire 2, McKenna 2, Lauitiiti, Bai, Jones-Buchanan. Goals: Sinfield 6)

Bradford Bulls 12 (Tries: Swann, Harris. Goals: Deacon 2)

SUPER LEAGUe, August 22, 2004

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Leeds Rhinos: Mathers, Walker, McKenna, Senior, Bai, Sinfield, McGuire, Ward, Diskin, McDonald, Adamson, Lauitiiti, Poching. Subs Burrow, McDermott, Bailey, Jones-Buchanan.

Bradford Bulls: Reardon, Withers, Pryce, Hape, Vainikolo, Harris, Deacon, Fielden, Paul, Parker, Peacock, Swann, Radford. Subs Pratt, Johnson, Langley, Moore.

Referee: Karl Kirkpatrick.

Attendance: 21,225.