Leeds Rhinos face exit of controversial star

Leeds Rhinos are in a bad place at the moment; after losing 50-0 to Wigan Warriors, they were beaten 61-0 by Catalans Dragons.

This marks the first time since 1996 that the Rhinos have conceded 50 or more points in consecutive fixtures.

It is also the first time in Super League that Leeds have failed to score in two consecutive fixtures.

To make matters worse, Nene MacDonald is set for a controversial exit after not returning to the club after leaving to Australia and is also set to play for Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister’s XIII.

Leeds Rhinos went to Perpignan knowing that they needed a win to keep their play off hopes well and truly alive. To win they needed to repeat their success in France against the Dragons last year when they won at the Stade Gilbert Brutus twice to head towards Old Trafford.

The Rhinos got off to a poor start as Catalans Dragons carved them up down the blind side from deep.

Tom Johnstone was tackled on the touchline by a covering Ash Handley but the winger found an offload inside to Adam Keighran to score who converted.

The Dragons nearly added a second try when Mike McMeeken tried to power over but knocked on but eventually they would rack up the points with Ben Garcia powering over whilst another lovely move carved Leeds open down the edge with Sam Tomkins with the killer ball.

Tyrone May would notch the assist as Catalans made it 22-0 with a ball over the top for Tom Johnstone, still battling to be the league’s top try scorer.

Leeds thought they had a try when Jack Sinfield kicked and the ball hit Mitchell Pearce allowing him the chance to ground but Sam Tomkins got there first.

The Dragons would then extend their lead with another lovely move right which was finished by a diving finish for Tom Davies for his second try of the game.

At the start of the second half Mitchell Pearce was on hand to score after a probing run and offload.

The Dragons continued to storm ahead with further tries such as weaving run from Tom Johnstone as well as a deserved try for Matt Ikuvalu.

Sam Tomkins rubbed salt in the wound with a drop goal. Adam Keighran then scored to wrap up the scoring.

Leeds finished the game with 11 men with Harry Newman and Sam Lisone both sin binned.