Rohan Smith responds to suggestion that Harry Newman is selfish

Leeds Rhinos came up short in a classic Challenge Cup tie today against holders Wigan Warriors.

After the game, Rohan Smith branded it as a good game from both sides.

“I thought it was a terrific contest, an open game in great conditions,” he said.

“Both teams attacked it and it could have gone either way and very nearly did.

“That was a good game. You know as a fan and as a supporter, if you follow rugby league you can be disappointed with the result but recognise a good game of footy between two good teams competing for the first step of a big prize.

“I am proud of the effort of some of our players.”

A lot of the talk has centred on Harry Newman who made a break at the end and had Richie Myler in support but Newman elected to dummy and got tackled.

On this Smith said: “It is never down to one play in a game.

“You have to back the instincts of players. In the end the one in the first half turned out well and the second one didn’t.”

Asked if Newman has a selfish streak in him, Smith stood by his player:

“I think he made a decision. No one wants to win more than Harry. It never comes down to one moment, there were heaps 0f moments in the game where we could have done better and then maybe we wouldn’t have been in that situation.

“As I said earlier, Wigan executed some plays really well, they’re a good team and it was a good game.

“You have to go hard at it, and sometimes there will be disappointment there.”