Leeds Rhinos v Huddersfield Giants verdict as Rhinos attack too strong despite improved Giants side

Game three of Super League’s Good Friday matchday features Leeds Rhinos and Huddersfield Giants at AMT Headingley.

Leeds welcomed Kallum Watkins back into the fold to make his second debut. He started on the bench with Tom Holroyd coming into the starting line-up to replace Mikolaj Oledzki, who sits out this one on a ban. Morgan Gannon and James Bentley switch places from the bench to the second row and vice versa.

Huddersfield’s injury crisis worsened last week as Fenton Rogers and loanee Bill Leyland were added to the absentee list. However, they welcomed back prop Oliver Wilson, who had been banned for the last two matches. The Giants also handed debuts to Jacob Algar and Archie Sykes.

Here’s our verdict of Leeds Rhinos v Huddersfield Giants on Friday night.

Leeds Rhinos claim the two points as spirited Huddersfield Giants side remain winless

Leeds Rhinos started the first half off strongly with most of the field position and possession. It looked like Leeds would be ahead on the scoreboard quickly but both attempts were ruled out by the video referee. Morgan Gannon was held up over the line and Tom Holroyd’s effort was ruled out for an obstruction in the build-up.

Huddersfield’s injury crisis worsened as Tom Burgess went off for a HIA. Fortunately, he passed it and returned to the field. However, it was much worse news for Liam Sutcliffe as he limped off with a serious-looking ankle injury.

The Giants thought they’d got their first points on the board but Sam Halsall’s effort was held up in goal as reviewed by the video referee also.

In the first half, there was a lot of Leeds attack, especially on the Giants try-line, but Huddersfield’s defence held up across the park.

It was the Rhinos who finally got their first points in the 31st minute. Lachie Miller’s solo effort on the back of James Bentley’s offload saw him make a break just off the centre of the pitch to score. Miller converted his own try for a 6-0 lead.

Following that try, Kallum Watkins returned to the Rhinos side at loose forward for his second debut, seventeen years to the exact day after his original debut back in 2008.

It was Watkins who got Leeds kick-started in the second half after an inside pass from Bentley and some very neat footwork from Watkins himself as he danced his way to score just next to the sticks. With Miller’s conversion, the Rhinos took a 12-0 lead.

Ash Handley was next on the Leeds scoresheet for his third Super League try of the season. Jake Connor’s high, floating kick fell perfectly for Handley in the Huddersfield defence line and wasn’t challenged as he went over to score.

Connor managed to grab a try himself, getting on the end of an excellent team try. He moved it out to James McDonnell, who broke through the Huddersfield defence, passing inside to Bentley. He passed it back out to McDonnell before he flicked it backwards to Connor to score.

Adding his name to the try-scorers list, Ryan Hall finished off a series of passes out to the right for his 341st of his career. Miller missed his first conversion of the match as Leeds’ lead grew to 28-0.

Tom Burgess ended the night with a consolation Huddersfield try but deservedly so after a big shift from the prop. George Flanagan added the extras to bring the score back to 28-6 in Leeds’ favour.

Good day for

Kallum Watkins. It was a dream second debut for the veteran forward. He came on late in the first half, playing at loose forward and put in a great performance. He seemed to get more involved than he does when he plays in the second row and he capped off a good day with a try in a solid Leeds attack.

Bad day for

Huddersfield injury crisis. Whilst Tom Burgess did pass his HIA and played big minutes, Liam Sutcliffe’s lower leg injury did not look to be a short-term issue. He was helped off the field in the first half and didn’t return. One glimmer of hope for the Giants is that their young debutants, Jacob Algar and Archie Sykes, put in admirable performances.

Star man

Jake Connor. His kicking game has improved significantly in 2025, with a variety of styles in the Leeds attack. There was the occasional rogue kick but overall, every decent Leeds attack went either through his hands or off his boot. He also organised the Rhinos’ attack across the field, leaving Matt Frawley and Lachie Miller to run the ball more.

Teams for Leeds Rhinos v Huddersfield Giants

Leeds Rhinos XIII: Lachie Miller, Ryan Hall, Harry Newman, Ash Handley, Riley Lumb, Jake Connor, Matt Frawley, Cooper Jenkins, Jarrod O’Connor, Tom Holroyd, James McDonnell, Morgan Gannon, Keenan Palasia.

Interchanges: Jack Sinfield, Sam Lisone, James Bentley, Kallum Watkins.

Huddersfield Giants XIII: Aidan McGowan, Connor Carr, Liam Sutcliffe, Jake Bibby, Sam Halsall, George Flanagan, Jacob Gagai, Oliver Wilson, Ash Golding, Tom Burgess, Sam Hewitt, Joe Greenwood, Taane Milne.