Leeds Rhinos v Hull KR verdict as Robins launch comeback in match marred by two red cards

Leeds Rhinos hosted Super League table toppers Hull KR in Round Nine of the competition and our verdict on the match is now in.

Hull KR managed to land a comeback win with the Robins winning 20-14 despite trailing 14-6 on the hour mark and losing Sauaso Sue to a red card. Ten minutes later, Ash Handley’s red card for Leeds swung the momentum back to Hull KR who extended their lead at the top of the table.

Both teams made major changes with Hull KR forced into those due to the injuries to starting wingers Tom Davies (shoulder) and Joe Burgess (HIA), whereas Leeds Rhinos’ Brad Arthur made a huge call in his spine.

Arthur dropped Matt Frawley for Jack Sinfield with the younger man partnering Jake Connor in the halves whilst Willie Peters also made a bold call, shifting Peta Hiku to the wing forcing a reshuffle in his pack.

With 80 minutes of rugby league behind us, here’s our verdict on the game.

Hull KR overcome the odds to beat Leeds Rhinos

Just four minutes in Jack Sinfield was sent to the sin bin after a shoulder charge on Jack Broadbent whilst Jake Connor then suffered a dislocated finger, marking a nightmare first seven minutes for the home side.

A Peta Hiku break resulted in Jack Broadbent scoring a walk-in for the first try of the game to make it 4-0 and matters were made worse as Ryan Hall limped off with an ankle injury.

The positive news for Leeds was that Jake Connor returned and he was pivotal in their first try, stepping the onrushing Tyrone May before playing a smart kick into the corner for Ash Handley to score. Leeds started to ramp up the pressure and when Connor was collected high by Jez Litten, the Rhinos opted for two to make it 6-4. Hull KR hit back with a penalty of their own to leave it 6-6 at the break.

Leeds started the second half fastest and they used the mismatch on their left edge with Ash Handley and Riley Lumb combining with the youngster scoring in the corner after Handley broke free from within his own half.

Hull KR continued to struggle in attack but errors prevented the Rhinos from capitalising, however, the game turned when Sausao Sue was sent off for a shot on Sam Lisone with Chris Kendall judging it as direct contact to the head with no attempt to wrap, despite the mitigation that Lisone was losing height.

Leeds opted for two from the penalty to make it 14-6 before Hull KR saw Jai Whitbread cross over, only for it to be ruled ‘No Try’ on account of a knock-on in the build up but minutes later Jack Broadbent scored his second of the game but Arthur Mourgue’s kick hit the post for a second time on the night.

Mikey Lewis then stepped up to nail a 40/20 and Hull KR ended the set by tackling Jake Connor in goal, only for the referee and video referee to rule against them despite the fact it should have been a goal-line drop-out.

The game took another twist when Ash Handley was sent off for a high shot on Arthur Mourgue meaning the game ended with 12 versus 12 and almost immediately Hull KR took advantage as James Batchelor scored right where Ash Handley would have been defending. Arthur Mourgue couldn’t convert leaving it 14-14 with just five minutes to play.

Hull KR took the game by the scruff of the neck by then with Mikey Lewis taking the short side and combining with Jack Broadbent to score the winner as he ran under the posts to help make it 20-14 and win the game for the Robins.

Good day for

Willie Peters will have hated the first 60 to 65 minutes of that game but his side proved that they can win it tough even when they’ve now been the better side, a trait that he will love to see.

Bad day for

On the opposite side of the sword is Brad Arthur who has constantly bemoaned his side’s inability to play a full 80 minutes and that happened once again. For large periods of the game Leeds were the better side but their collapse in the final 15 minutes will have him banging his head.

Star man

Jack Broadbent scored two and created another with the utility back proving why Willie Peters has so much faith in him to play any role that is needed.

Teams

Leeds Rhinos XIII: Lachlan Miller; Ryan Hall, Harry Newman, Ash Handley, Riley Lumb; Jake Connor, Jack Sinfield; Mikolaj Oledzki, Jarrod O’Connor, Cooper Jenkins; James McDonnell, Morgan Gannon, Keenan Palasia

Interchanges: Sam Lisone, Kallum Watkins, James Bentley, Tom Holroyd

Hull KR XIII: Arthur Mourgue; Peta Hiku, James Batchelor, Oliver Gildart, Jack Broadbent; Mikey Lewis, Tyrone May; Sauaso Sue, Jez Litten, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Dean Hadley, Kelepi Taningoa, Elliot Minchella

Interchanges: Jack Brown, Sam Luckley, Jai Whitbread, Bill Leyland

Friday night lights 😍

Live on @SkySportsRL Action, 8pm KO 🙌#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/bQuzEWiIgi

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) April 25, 2025