Rohan Smith explains Leeds Rhinos’ humiliating defeat

Leeds Rhinos have been brutally beaten by Catalans Dragons 61-0 breaking their record for their worst ever Super League defeat after losing 50-0 to Wigan Warriors last week.

This has seen questions raised about Rohan Smith and others at the club and Smith was forced to face the questions on Sky Sports as he explained this latest defeat:

“The fans have been brilliant all year. Especially the travelling support but also the home support.

“It is another tough day. We got beaten to the punch. We started shaky with possession and couldn’t get it back.

“We fought hard but the harder we thought at times the worse it got.

“We have an extremely young group of players out there today under a lot of pressure against great opposition. It is a work in progress.

“We have to show plenty of energy and battle next week.”

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.