Coach Brad Arthur admitted he wasn’t sure why Leeds Rhinos’ England centre Harry Newman was sin-binned during the Super League round one defeat at Leigh Leopards.
Newman was banished to the naughty step, along with Leigh’s Matt Davis, in the second half of Rhinos’ 26-14 loss and was clearly mystified as he left the field.
Arthur voiced no complaints about referee Tom Grant and stressed he continues to back the ruck crackdown, which has led to a spate of penalties in the opening games of the season.
But asked in his post-match press conference about Newman’s yellow card, he admitted: “I don’t know what it was for.”
A flare-up developed after Leeds were penalised for a high tackle following some fierce defence deep in Leigh territory.
Arthur said: “I thought the three tackles we made on the tryline were really good; good line speed and I couldn’t see any high collisions. I thought the penalty was for a high tackle and maybe the sin-bin was for a bit of push and shove, but I am not sure, I didn’t ask him.”
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Newman was also involved in a feisty head to head with Leigh centre Tesi Niu, including a clash in the first half when Leeds were penalised.
“To be fair to Harry, he got up at marker and he got pushed first,” Arthur said of that incident. “The penalty should probably have gone to us, they pushed Harry – not the other way around. He just stood his ground and outside of that, I don’t think he did anything else.
“He just was aggressive down on the tryline, but I need to look at the video a bit closer to make sure I am right.”
Rhinos were without nine team players because of injury, including five from the first 13 squad numbers.
Arthur revealed Ash Handley (groin) will also miss next Friday’s visit of York Knights, but said off-season signing Jeremiah Mata’utia will be available, scrum-half Jake Connor, loose-forward Cameron Smith and prop Keenan Palasia could also be in contention and winger Maika Sivo has a chance of making his comeback from an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered 13 months ago.
Mikaolaj Oledzki (ribs) is showing signs of improvement but remains a major doubt for next week. Alfie Edgell (thigh) and Max Simpson (acl) are on the long-term casualty list.
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