Leeds Rhinos 24-22 Warrington Wolves: Highlights, player ratings and talking points

Leeds Rhinos and Warrington Wolves met in a huge game in the play-off picture today as they pair battle with the likes of Hull FC, Hull KR, Huddersfield Giants and Salford Red Devils for a place in the final two play-off spots as the race well and truly heats up from fifth down to 10th.

In many ways it was a must win game for both sides but especially for the home team. Without a Headingley win Leeds would remain four points adrift but they went into the game knowing a win would cut the gap down to two helped by their superior points difference.

And the Rhinos picked up their crucial win at the expense of Warrington in what was in contention for game of the round.

Highlights:

Warrington made the best possible start when in their first set of six Matt Dufty stabbed a kick behind the Leeds defence chased through and grounded the ball in the corner. The try was awarded by the video referee.

Warrington nearly doubled their money when they stripped Leeds for numbers down the right edge with Josh Thewlis trying to squeeze in at the corner but a great tackle from Cameron Smith pulled his foot into touch as confirmed by the video referee. A warning for Leeds.

Leeds began to turn the screw after a sluggish start to proceedings but a lovely inside ball saw them carved up by Matt Dufty. They would cover well but yet another warning for Rohan Smith’s side.

The Rhinos thought they had scored themselves when Rhyse Martin cut inside found Sam Walters in support who juggled the ball batting it backwards to Cameron Smith who touched down but Walters was adjudged to have been taken without the ball and the penalty had been given already.

A moment later though and Leeds were over after a short ball put Sam Walters through, now playing at backrow with James McDonnell off.

Rhyse Martin made it 6-4 but their lead didn’t last long as Matt Dufty carved them open on a kick return and found Matty Ashton who finished off a length of the field try.

It should have been two tries in two minutes as Warrington tore down their left edge with Stefan Ratchford breaking clear. It was a certain try as they found Danny Walker inside but he dropped the ball.

It was another close call for Warrington when a chip kick from George Williams was taken by Ben Currie but it was too deep and he was out of the field as he landed.

Leeds looked dangerous at the other end but frequent miscommunication undid the Rhinos’ attacks again and again.

Just like in the first half, Leeds were slow out of the blocks and Warrington punished them this time earning a penalty which made it 12-6.

However, the scores were soon level when a floated kick to the corner by Aidan Sezer was taken by David Fusitu’a who grounded. The try was looked at for a long period by the video referee and then given.

But Leeds couldn’t capitalise on their momentum and an error allowed Warrington to roll down field where a lovely George Williams ball saw Stefan Ratchford ease through a gap to score. He missed the conversion attempt leaving it at 16-12.

Warrington did cross the whitewash again but it was disallowed by official Ben Thaler for obstruction on James Bentley.

Leeds then went down the other end of the field where a series of offloads allowed Aidan Sezer to waltz through where he found Luke Hooley in support to score his first try for Leeds. Rhyse Martin’s goal made it 18-16.

Leeds then struck a crucial blow after an offload allowed Cameron Smith to storm through and find Hooley. This time he was tackled but on the next tackle an insane Nene MacDonald offload gave the ball to Bentley to score in the corner. Rhyse Martin nailed the conversion to crucially make it 24-16.

But it wasn’t game over with Warrington hitting back immediately as a lovely Josh Drinkwater kick was taken and scored by Matty Nicholson.

Then at the death, Warrington had the chance to win the game but Matt Dufty fumbled a kick through by Stefan Ratchford.

Talking Points:

Wigan delight in Rhinos
It might seem strange but Wigan fans will be delighted to know that yet again Wigan bound Sam Walters was excellent. He caused Warrington endless problems, showed his versatility playing front row and back row and notched a try.

Cam Smith excellent
The ball playing 13 is back in fashion and Cam Smith showed that today with an excellent display combining running and passing to carve open Warrington.

Warrington’s missed opportunities
Warrington missed two nailed on tries today at Headingley. In the first half, Danny Walker dropped the pass for a certain try and at the death Matt Dufty fumbled a kick from Stefan Ratchford that would have won it. A shame for Dufty who was excellent throughout.

Warrington’s top six hopes in trouble
There is now only two points separating the Wolves and 10th in the league which is truly remarkable given their start to the season. They need a turning point but today’s performance could have been that.

Player Ratings:

Leeds Rhinos
21 Luke Hooley – 8
2 David Fusitu’a – 8
4 Nene MacDonald – 8
12 Rhyse Martin – 7
5 Ash Handley – 7
26 Corey Johnson – 6
7 Aidan Sezer – 8
8 Mikolaj Oledzki – 6
14 Jarrod O’Connor – 7
22 Sam Walters – 8
11 James Bentley – 7
19 James McDonnell – N/A
13 Cameron Smith – 8
Substitutes
3 Harry Newman – 7
15 Sam Lisone – 7
18 Tom Holroyd – 7
25 James Donaldson – 6

Warrington Wolves
1 Matt Dufty – 8
2 Josh Thewlis – 7
3 Peter Mata’utia – 6
4 Stefan Ratchford – 8
5 Matty Ashton – 7
6 George Williams – 8
7 Josh Drinkwater – 7
18 Thomas Mikaele – 6
16 Danny Walker – 7
10 Paul Vaughan – 7
11 Ben Currie – 7
12 Matty Nicholson – 8
35 Jordy Crowther – 6
Substitutes
9 Daryl Clark – 7
17 Gil Dudson – 6
8 James Harrison – 7
15 Joe Philbin – 6