Hull KR blitzed, video referee controversy, the Man of Steel and Leeds Rhinos v Hull KR talking points

Leeds Rhinos stunned league leaders Hull KR 28-6 at Headingley as they turned in the most impressive performance of the season so far. 

Here’s our talking points.

KR blitzed

There was only team in this one, with Leeds Rhinos going through the gears and leaving the league leaders in the dust. The domination started early with Jake Connor making the most of some woeful KR defence to touch down after fooling the line with a smart side step.

Presley Cassell got the second following a touch of fortune as Kallum Watkins kick bounced off the upright and into the youngsters hands as the Robins scrambled. Lachie Miller sliced open the east Hull side with ease to get a third and cap what had to be the best half of rugby Leeds have played under Brad Arthur.

There was controversy on the hour mark as Rovers were denied a try by the video referee, but Jake Connor extended the lead with his boot just moments later. Harry Newman made the most of some dreadful defending from Jack Broadbent to wrap it up.

Tom Davies ensured Rovers weren’t nilled but that couldn’t spare their blushes on their worst night of the season as Leeds Rhinos simply blew them away.

Magic Miller

Lachie Miller is the most dangerous man in Super League right now. He was electric in the first half against the Robins, who struggled to lay a glove on him as he carved up the league leaders.

The Australian took his try in the first half so well, but that just typified a first half showing that was simply too hot to handle for the Robins.

Video referee controversy

There was a moment of controversy early doors when Leeds challenged a Rovers penalty after Lachie Miller clattered into Arthur Mourgue as the Frenchman collected a high kick. The ruling by Jack Smith was that there was no attempt to wrap but Leeds successfully challenged that there was no foul play with Chris Kendall assessing the footage.

However, replays showed Miller making direct shoulder to head contact on Mourgue, leaving the KR man laid out on the turf. It wasn’t intentional but that’s the exactly the type of challenge which was punished earlier in the season and Miller might just in trouble with the Match Review Panel come Monday.

On the hour mark there was yet more controversy, with Rovers denied a try by the video referee for what was perceived to be a tackle in the air on Newman from Broadbent. The effort was sent up as a no try but Kendall only had two camera angles available to assess the incident and couldn’t see it clearly enough. As such, the on-field call stood. That was a big call at a crucial point of the game.

Hull KR hangover

Judging by Rovers’ woeful first half showing, it’s fair to say last week’s win over Wigan Warriors took an awful lot out of the Robins. That win at the Brick Community Stadium required Willie Peters’ side to dig deep defensively but they finally got over the line against the Warriors.

They were a shadow of the team they were a week ago, though, with the effort at Wigan appearing to suck the life out of them this week. The Robins were lacklustre defensively, loose in attack and error-ridden, everything they’re usually not. A night to forget for the league leaders.

Man of Steel

We’re still a few weeks away from the end of the season but if Jake Connor was handed the Man of Steel award now, no one would be complaining. He’s been the best players in the competition this season by some distance and having led the Man of Steel race before the scoring went dark, he’s surely in a position to pick up the gong.

He was excellent once more against Rovers and it’s fair to say that without Connor, the likes of Lachie Miller, Ash Handley and Brodie Croft don’t make the same impact.

Sue blow

Rovers were dealt a huge setback with just three minutes on the clock when Sauaso Sue was forced off the field with a knee injury. The contact with Morgan Gannon looks innocuous, but it was enough to leave Sue on the ground before he was helped from the action.

The prop went straight down the tunnel and he could be seen in the second half with a brace around his leg. The extent of the injury is unknown at this point but with four more games to go, any lay-off would be a blow. Jai Whitbread appeared to pick up a knock in the game as well.

Wigan watch out

Leeds Rhinos are now level on points with second placed Wigan Warriors and plenty will be backing Arthur’s side to pip them to second on the back of Thursday night’s showing. Of course, Wigan still have the opportunity to restore their two point lead over the chasing pack this week with Wakefield Trinity to play on Sunday.

Not to overlook the challenge of St Helens, but the clash between Wigan and Leeds on the final day of the regular season could well end up being a shootout for second.