Leeds Rhinos put in a brilliant performance to defeat Wigan Warriors 12-10 in one of the most entertaining games of the Super League season so far.
Wigan seemed to have weathered the storm when they hit back from 6-0 down after half an hour to lead by four in the third quarter, but Leeds dug deep to snatch it when Jake Connor converted Jack Sinfield’s touchdown with 13 minutes left.
The try came when Jake Connor’s kick bounced off Ryan Hall’s head and substitute Sinfield, who had just come on, touched down.
Video official Tom Grant eventually confirmed referee Jack Smith’s call of try and Connor’s conversion made the difference after 80 pulsating minutes.
Wigan made a late change when Abbas Miski, who was due to return from injury, picked up a knock in the warm-up.
Leeds Rhinos secure brilliant win on Ryan Hall’s 500th career appearance
With Miski out, Jacob Douglas came into the team and after 11 minutes spilled a towering kick from Connor. James Bentley gathered the loose ball and fed Riley Lumb who forced his way over for an unconverted try.
Connor’s conversion attempt hit a post and bounced away, but he extended the home side’s lead to six points with a penalty goal after Wigan were caught offside on 28 minutes.
Rhinos were agonisingly close to scoring again a couple of minutes later after Brodie Croft slipped out a superb pass to Lachie Miller and he found Sam Lisone – who had just come on. The prop stormed towards the line, but stumbled and was pulled down just short.
The visitors didn’t threaten Leeds’ line until the final minute of the half and they made the opportunity count.
They got the ball back when Jack Farrimond’s kick was charged down on half-way, but Harry Smith came up with a moment of quality, kicking to the corner for Liam Marshall to gather and touchdown with 34 seconds remaining before the break. Smith couldn’t add the extras so Leeds led by two at the interval.
Wigan grabbed the first try after the break, through Bevan French who cut through from Smith’s pass after Lumb had been tackled into touch close to Leeds’ line.
Lumb got over at the other end late in the third quarter before Sinfield’s try and Junior Nsemba had one ruled out late on for a similar reason.
Leeds Rhinos: Miller, Hall, Newman, Handley, Lumb, Croft, Connor, Oledzki, O’Connor, Jenkins, Bentley, McDonnell, Palasia. Subs Lisone, Gannon, Sinfield, Holroyd.
Wigan Warriors: French, Douglas, Eckersley, Wardle, Marshall, Farrimond, Smith, Byrne, Leeming, Thompson, Nsemba, Farrell, Ellis. Subs Dupree, Mago, Walters. Forber (unused).
Referee: Jack Smith (Wigan). Attendance: 15,166
The Rhinos get the win and celebrate Ryan Hall’s 500th career game with victory including the star man having a hand (well a head!) in the winning try
FULL TIME
Rhinos 12 – 10 Warriors
🤝 In partnership #Anchor #ButtertheFoodButtertheMood pic.twitter.com/k8DghMS8wn— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) March 22, 2025
