Leeds Rhinos and Hull KR today met in James Donaldson‘s testimonial game as both sides looked to end pre-season on a high.
Donaldson started his career at Bradford Bulls – who he played against last week at Odsal – before joining Hull KR in 2015 where he played against Leeds Rhinos in the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley as the Robins lost 50-0.
Wembley would be the scene of his career highlight winning the 2020 Challenge Cup with the Rhinos after joining in 2019.
He started with Leeds missing forwards like Tom Holroyd, Sam Lisone and Mickael Goudemand. Paul Momirovski remains in Australia and David Fusitu’a was also absent for Leeds.
Hull KR meanwhile had a very strong line-up with Tyrone May and Mikey Lewis starting together for the first time.
Leeds Rhinos edge exciting game with Hull KR
Leeds Rhinos v Hull KR Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com – 14/07/2023 – Rugby League – Betfred Super League Round 19 – Leeds Rhinos v Hull KR – Headingley Stadium, Leeds, England – Hull KR s Jez LItten is floored by Leeds s Sam Lisone. Leeds Headingley Stadium
It was a very strange start at Headingley. Leeds Rhinos immediately had attacking position after a successful short kick off but squandered it straight away with an incorrect play-the-ball.
Hull KR rolled down field and a neat line-up of the spine allowed Peta Hiku to ease through untouched like a hot knife through butter.
Hull KR had a chance to extend their lead with a move outwide but the ball was dropped. Leeds would eventually earn a penalty and move down field to claim a try back.
On debut, Brodie Croft jinked through and fed the ball to Lachie Miller to score. Rhyse Martin missed the conversion in the swirling wind.
Leeds had all the momentum and created some openings which luck would stop them from exploiting. But they would only have themselves to blame when they gave up possession through an incorrect play the ball.
After 10 minutes of back and forth, Hull KR would mount pressure and after Tom Opacic went close Jai Whitbread crashed over. The conversion made it 12-4. Things weren’t going great for Leeds with a number of penalties in a row resulting in Justin Sangare being sin binned.
Immediately, after Hull KR came close to scoring but after the ball was fumbled it would become the first try referred under the new video referee system with the decision sent to the bunker. The try was disallowed.
A few minutes later it was Harry Newman claiming to have scored and having a try sent to the video referee after he tried to squeeze in at the corner. Unsurprisingly, the try was disallowed.
The nearly moments kept coming when Tom Opacic stepped in touch as the Robins attacked. Leeds stood their ground despite a number of penalties to stay in touch at 12-4 at the break.
First blood after the break went the way of the Rhinos after a short ball from Cameron Smith allowed Leon Ruan to twist over. Martin converted to make it 12-10.
Leeds thought they were away when Lachie Miller broke clear before the batten was taken by Harry Newman who weaved through tacklers but a one on one strip by Mikey Lewis stopped the break away.
Leeds took the lead after a break from Lachie Miller and Newman again. Then the ball was moved left and Miller put Ned McCormack into space and he darted back inside to score to make it 14-12.
Leeds went back to back as Brodie Croft kicked behind with the ball touched down by Morgan Gannon and the score awarded by the video referee. Martin converted to make it 20-12.
Croft went from provider to score a minute later when Tom Nicholson-Watton broke through and teed up Croft to score with the South Stand chanting his name as the score was extended to 26-12.
Hull KR responded immediately after regaining possession from the restart. Tyrone May probed and offloaded to Louix Gorman to score.
Hull KR thought they were in again when Mikey Lewis broke clear but an ankle tap from Ned
McCormack denied him. Shortly after this, a second scuffle involving Justin Sangare erupted.
The game ended 26-18 with the Rhinos showing that they are likely to compete with the top teams again in 2024.
