Leeds Rhinos vs Wigan Warriors player ratings as 3 score 9/10

Wigan Warriors missed out on the opportunity to go back to the top of Super League as Leeds Rhinos put in a season-best performance to beat them 30-4 at Headingley.

It marks Wigan’s third loss in five games and means Hull KR remain top of Super League heading into Magic Weekend next week. For Leeds, it’s a win that keeps their playoff hopes alive as they pull within four points of Catalans Dragons, St Helens and Salford Red Devils.

Leeds were without captain Cam Smith but Jarrod O’Connor put in a huge shift at loose forward in his place. The victory will no doubt add to the hopes of Rhinos’ fans that Brad Arthur remains at the club with his future still uncertain.

Leeds Rhinos shock Wigan Warriors

Wigan Warriors thought they’d scored within five minutes when Jake Wardle scooped up a stray pass on Leeds’ line but referee Liam Moore called Wardle offside.

Despite being under the pump, it was Leeds who broke the deadlock and they did so through Harry Newman. Lachie Miller unleashed Rhyse Martin on the left edge with the second-rower passing back inside to Miller who gave Newman an easy try.

Wigan continued to dominate the territory but did little with it for the remainder of the first half. Penalties were frequent from both sides and when Leeds Rhinos got one in kicking range, they opted for the tee and allowed Rhyse Martin to extend the lead to 8-0 after a Sam Walters high tackle.

Leeds Rhinos came out for the second half with just as much defensive grit and it was their explosive players who led the attack once again. Lachlan Miller made a break and looked certain to play Harry Newman in again but the full-back opted to go himself, costing the Rhinos a try.

Shortly after Rhyse Martin took another two points from the tee to make it 10-0 and he was called upon five minutes later to convert Lachlan Miller’s try. Miller once again went on his own but he had the pace to beat Liam Farrell and touch down in the corner making it 16-0.

It got worse for Wigan when Adam Keighran was sent for an accumulation of high tackles after Rhyse Martin stayed down prompting the video referee to become involved, something that commentators Barrie McDermott and Dave Woods were keen to call out. Martin kicked the resulting penalty to make it 18-0 with just 20 minutes to go.

Leeds secured the win five minutes later when James McDonnell crashed over against his former club after another quick break started by Lachlan Miller and Brodie Croft. Brad Arthur was even able to hand out a debut to Ben Littlewood for the final ten minutes, such was the ease of victory.

Liam Marshall did manage to score a consolation try but not before Harry Smith was sent off for a ‘forceful arm’ to the head of James Bentley when he was on the floor, meaning the half-back will likely miss Magic Weekend.

Leeds made use of that man advantage as they scored in the final seconds through Rhyse Martin, a deserved try-scorer, to make it a famous 30-4 win.

QUIZ: Can you name these 10 former Super League head coaches?

Man of the Match

Lachie Miller has split opinion among fans in 2024 but when he’s on form, he’s incredibly hard to defend. The full-back was electric at Headingley today as he bagged a try and an assist. He had his shaky moments, as he often does, but he was the difference-maker for Leeds when they were going forward in what was generally a win built on defensive fortitude.

Stand-out Moment

Lachie Miller’s try to push Leeds’ lead to 16-0 was the moment that broke Wigan. Just minutes earlier he’d opted to step inside and go alone rather than pass to Harry Newman, costing a near-certain try, but he didn’t let that put him off his game and he backed himself for his score.

Miller ran a brilliant support line off the shoulder of Brodie Croft and was able to dart inside his opposite number Jai Field to create the space to dive over. It was a five-minute spell that summed Miller up in essence, guaranteed errors but also moments of magic.

Leeds Rhinos vs Wigan Warriors Player Ratings

Leeds Rhinos: Lachie Miller 9, David Fusitu’a 7, Paul Momirovski 7, Harry Newman 8, Alfie Edgell 7, Brodie Croft 8, Matt Frawley 7, Sam Lisone 8, Andy Ackers 6, Justin Sangare 6, James McDonnell 7, Rhyse Martin 9, Jarrod O’Connor 9

Bench: James Bentley 7, Mickael Goudemand 6, Tom Nicholson-Watton 6, Ben Littlewood 6

Wigan Warriors: Jai Field 7, Abbas Miski 6, Adam Keighran 5, Jake Wardle 7, Liam Marshall 6, Ryan Hampshire 4, Harry Smith 4, Ethan Havard 6, Kruise Leeming 6, Luke Thompson 7, Junior Nsemba 6, Liam Farrell 6, Kaide Ellis 6

Bench: Liam Byrne 7, Patrick Mago 6, Sam Walters 5, Zach Eckersley 6