Leeds Rhinos cruised past Bradford Bulls in game two of Sunday’s Super League Magic Weekend as Ash Handley scored a hat-trick to record a near-perfect performance.
The Rhinos ran out as 50-16 winners over the Bulls as Brad Arthur’s side won their sixth game in a row, something that they’ve never previously done under the Australian.
It was a win that extended the club’s lead atop Super League, opening the gap to four points and asserting Leeds as the team with by far the best points difference with the Rhinos now strong favourites to win the League Leaders Shield.
Across a dominant performance, there were plenty of standout players and the ratings are now in.
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Leeds Rhinos’ Magic Weekend player ratings
Full-back: Lachie Miller – 7
Caused Bulls problems with his footwork, set up one try but never quite got into space himself
Wing: Maika Sivo – 6
Looked like he wouldn’t score, but a gift from his centre helped him set a new club record of scoring in 10 successive Super League games
Centre: Ash Handley – 9
Fantastic, three tries, including the 150th of his career and provided the final pass for a couple more
Centre: Harry Newman – 7
Made one nice break and got some good offloads away, but didn’t see a lot of the ball
Wing: Ryan Hall – 5
Lasted just 21 minutes before limping off with a foot injury
Stand-off: Brodie Croft – 7
Scored one try, put James McDonnell in for another and was busy throughout
Scrum-half: Jake Connor – 6
Below his best, but still involved in several tries and scored one himself
Prop: Mikolaj Oledzki – 7
Strong start as Leeds got on the front foot
Hooker: Jarrod O’Connor – 9
Restored to the starting side and justified that decision, setting up a try with a lovely kick and crossing from acting-half
Prop: Keenan Palasia – 8
Played the first 51 minutes in a strong effort and Leeds lost their way when he went off
Second-row: Chris Hankinson – 7
Scored for a sixth successive game, switched to the right-wing when Hall went off and had a given a tough time by Ethan Ryan
Second-row: James McDonnell – 8
Had a good game, worked hard and got a try
Loose-forward: Cooper Jenkins – 6
Couple of half-breaks early on, but didn’t dominate
Sub: Cameron Smith – 6
Was okay, but didn’t do anything spectacular
Sub: Kallum Watkins – 6
Kept fairly quiet, though he made a couple of big tackles and set up a try
Sub: Danny Levi – 6
Came on after 51 minutes, had a try disallowed for a double-movement
Sub: Tom Holroyd – 7
Added some impact off the bench
