Leeds Rhinos are battling Warrington Wolves, Hull FC, Hull KR and Salford Red Devils for a spot in the top six but their chances of achieving that have been hurt by a defeat to Huddersfield Giants who pulled level with the Rhinos in the table.
It was a bitter defeat for Leeds to swallow who are a long way off the strong end to the season we saw from Leeds last year.
The club looks in need of a reset and another rebuild as their wait for a title looks set to tick into a seventh year.
After the defeat to Huddersfield, fans were not happy.
One fan slammed Leeds for failing to execute the basics.
When you can’t do the basics well enough for long enough, you’ll lose more than you win. A truly terrible season is now over, can’t wait for the final game to end.
— Duncan Crossland (@batleyrhino) August 27, 2023
Another fan slammed the season as “embarrassing.”
Embarrassing season. Lacked any consistency, quality nor ambition. Well below expectations. Change needed
— James Pearson (@JamesPearson25) August 27, 2023
Remarkably, one supporter asked the question: “Do they even train together?”
Very poor again. No leaders, no organisation, everyone trying to solve problems on their own. The lack of purposeful teamwork and cohesion is astounding, do they ever practice together?
— Elizabeth Hill (@Elizabe31007223) August 27, 2023
Leeds were even described as minnows by one fan.
From once giants of RL to minnows, the most inconsistent team out there, another rebuilding process that provides little basis for optimism
— Greenkeeper (@Greenke05295818) August 27, 2023
It was agreed by many supporters that now the season is “over.”
Season over
— phill atack (@phillatack) August 27, 2023
In fact one fan said the club are “free failing into disaster.”
Free falling to disaster
— MilitantMat (@MilitantMat) August 27, 2023
The Giants’ early cover defence should be commended and it ensured that the Giants got the first try via Sam Halsall.
After the ball was kept alive in the middle of the field, the ball was shifted wide and the young winger finished in the corner.
Sadly the game was then stopped for 15 minutes after James Bentley chased a high Aidan Sezer kick only to collide with the knee of an airborne Jake Connor.
Bentley was stretchered off and placed in an ambulance after a 15 minute delay on the field.
After which Leeds conceded a somewhat controversial try with Kevin Naiqama capitalising on an error.
It would be a similar story for their third try as they took a 16-0 lead with Tui Lolohea grounding a kick Ash Handley was unable to deal with.
The Giants thought they had reached the 20 point mark when a great play caught out Newman and Handley with Esan Marsters trying to squeeze in at the corner but Leeds scrambled well.
Leeds needed to score next and had a decent chance after Aidan Sezer drilled the ball behind the Giants defence and Handley forced a penalty.
Then a lovely inside ball from Walters saw Luke Hooley make it two tries in two games.
Huddersfield again looked set to score in the corner but again Leeds scrambled well to deny the try and an incident broke out leading to a yellow card for Sam Hewitt seconds after coming on.
Without him, Sam Hewitt was able to tear through the Giants defence and find Handley in the corner to score and make it 16-12.
Leeds thought they were going to score again as Cameron Smith tore through the middle and found Sam Lisone in support. Lisone looked to wrong foot Sam Halsall and caught him with an elbow.
After that, Jake Connor kicked a brilliant 40/20 and from there the Giants earned a penalty and extended their lead to 18-12.
The Giants twice thought they scored in the same set in the second half as they looked to wrap up the win but were denied by official Marcus Griffiths.
The Giants though did get the extra point they needed with a Jake Connor drop goal four minutes from time to make it 19-12.
Will Pryce then notched a penalty to make it 21-12.