Rohan Smith explains controversial defeat to Huddersfield Giants

Leeds Rhinos are battling with the likes of Warrington Wolves, Hull FC, Hull KR and Salford Red Devils for a place in the Super League play-offs but a defeat to Huddersfield Giants drastically hurt those chances.

The Rhinos trailed 16-0 early in the game but at least one of the tries had an element of doubt to it.

The Rhinos battled back valiantly but in the end Huddersfield hung on to claim a vital win at the expense of Rohan Smith’s men who explained after the game why his side lost.

He said: “We let ourselves down a few moments there. One of those tries we conceded from a scrappy kick. We got people walking in the background which was one try, bounce pass in the other corner is a bit unfortunate.

“Then there was a play where he looked like he was held. Maybe he was, maybe he wasn’t. So chasing points is difficult in games where the ruck was all over the place and some critical moments in the game were influenced.

“Even at the back end there, we’re chasing the game and the player that doesn’t get to his feet laying on the ground, ends up retrieving our offload when we’re right in front of the post.

“There’s also a stoppage of play when we’ve made a break and we’re about to score on the next play, and we have a two minute stoppage, five minute stoppage, and then the player passes his HIA.”

He also highlighted the controversially awarded drop goal:

“We let ourselves down in a few moments, but there’s a huge amount of spirit there in the second half I thought we’re trying to overcome absolutely everything,  including a drop goal that didn’t go through.

“The kicker and his mates are all laughing that it didn’t go through, they were getting ready for a twenty metre restart and seven tackles.

“Everybody has said it didn’t go through. Except the decision makers. A couple of players in the opposition said it missed by a couple of metres.

“Sometimes they’re difficult when you look over the goalpost and you’re not sure if it’s a high kick, but in the end we had opportunities, we had opportunities, but some days it’s hard to overcome all of those things.”