Clinical Rhinos, youngsters shine and more Castleford Tigers vs Leeds Rhinos talking points

Leeds Rhinos decimated Castleford Tigers as they ran in 11 tries to humiliate their local rivals. Here are the major talking points from the game.

Try doubles from Ash Handley, Ryan Hall and Brodie Croft helped Leeds to an emphatic 64-6 victory, with Castleford youngster Jenson Windley providing a consolation try with five minutes to go.

Here are our talking points from the game:

Sublime Leeds Rhinos attack:

Leeds scored six tries in the first half and five in the second as they dismantled a poor Tigers side. Keeping the ball alive at every opportunity, off-the-cuff tries were aplenty as Brad Arthur’s men went provisionally third in the table.

It was the first time since a victory over Toronto Wolfpack in 2020 that Leeds scored 36 points in the opening half, as the Rhinos raced into a lead and never took their foot off the gas.

Leeds have 100 less points difference than St Helens, and whilst it would be a tough feat to catch up to their difference, this win has certainly done their points difference a load of good.

Young talents emerge:

After three appearances from the bench, Rhinos forward Presley Cassell made his first start for the club in place of the injured Mikolaj Oledzki, Cooper Jenkins and Tom Holroyd. At just 18, and usually playing at loose forward, he took like a duck to water on his first start, with strong carries and dominant tackles.

He capped his maiden start with a try, before celebrating in front of the home faithful. After going off with what looked like a pectoral injury, he returned to see out the game, in what will no doubt be a huge boost to Brad Arthur.

On the other side of the pitch, whilst it will be an afternoon to forget for the Tigers, their young fullback Jenson Windley is certainly one for the future. After a poor start that included a drop ball that led to a try, he managed to regain his confidence and scored a consolation try.

Leeds spine combine:

Lachie Miller, Brodie Croft and Jake Connor were all at their brilliant best this afternoon. Four tries between the trio and an abundance of assists were too strong for a lacklustre Castleford side.

Leeds are often caught trying too hard and overplay in attack, but they were on top form today and were clinical when taking their chances.

Hall breaks try duct:

Before the game, Super League’s highest ever try scorer, Ryan Hall, had gone nine matches without a try. That is the longest break between tries in his 18-year career. However, two tries this afternoon puts the winger on 262 tries, five ahead of Leigh’s Josh Charnley.

In typical Hall fashion, the ball was shifted along the line for his first try, before his trademark strength saw him dominate his opposite number to cross on the right edge.

His second came through another shift play, as Leeds created an overlap before a long ball from Handley allowed for an easy walk-in.

Castleford’s injury woes:

The Tigers, who only managed to name five of their starting thirteen squad numbers, lost another key player in the fixture, as mid-season signing Joe Stimson was forced off with a HIA. After taking a strong tackle in the first half, the prop forward left the field and subsequently failed the assessment, meaning he will miss next week’s fixture with Catalans Dragons.

Dominant performance from @leedsrhinos in Round 22! 🦏#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/UFdlMR4is0

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) August 16, 2025