“He thought they were winning” – Jake Connor brain fart leaves Nene Macdonald confused

Leeds star Nene Macdonald has admitted Jake Connor’s decision to kick the ball out towards the end of the Rhinos 18-17 win over Huddersfield at Headingley left him confused.

Connor, who had kicked a drop goal at the end of the first half to send the Giants into the sheds 13-4 ahead, decided the kick the ball out of play in the final moments of the game instead of going from a one-pointer with his side trailing 18-17.

Sky Sports commentator Jon Wilkin claimed Connor made that decision thinking his team were 18-17 up and that is an opinion that was backed up by Macdonald post match.

“I don’t know what he (Connor) was doing at the end there kicking it out,” Macdonald told Sky’s Jenna Brooks. “He thought he was up by one point so I was confused after that. I was just happy we got away with the win in the end.”

It was a sensational display from Macdonald who is a practicing Muslim and currently not eating during day light hours because of Ramadan, meaning his last meal before the 6pm kick-off was at 5am.

That didn’t stop him claiming Sky’s Player of the Match award though as he helped the Rhinos recover from a 12-0 deficit to claim a famous win the final match of Super League’s Rivals Round.

“I was trying to take a run in every set to help out the forwards towards the end there,” Macdonald added. “Throughout the season we keep coming out flying in the second half but I think as a group we need to learn to come flying in the first half.

“We know we get stronger in the second half, so if we can start playing better in the first half it will make life a lot easier. I am just pleased to get the win though and now I’ll get something to eat and have a drink with the boys.”