Robert Lui was one of many Leeds Rhinos players that played well against the Toronto Wolfpack. The Rhinos scored 11 tries and have taken the top spot in Super League. The half-time score was 36-6, and the final score was 66-12 at Emerald Headingley Stadium in Leeds.
They now have scored the most points in Super League and have a points differential of +120. For the Toronto Wolfpack, they still remain at the bottom of Super League with a points differential of -144. What the Wolfpack need to improve on is their defence, they have now given up 214 points. This is the most points a Super League team has given up in 2020.
Robert Lui played a big role in the Rhinos’ victory, and deserves all the plaudits received.
Strong game from Rob Lui last night as he crossed for a double in the Rhinos win over Toronto
➡ Check out all the game stats now right here https://t.co/qc9y0dv9rG pic.twitter.com/6qBLX5F5eQ— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) March 6, 2020
Three Keys to the Game:
Leeds clinical offense vs Toronto Wolfpack defensive effort
Part of it was facing one of the top teams in the Super League with Leeds Rhinos. However, the other part is the standard of play of the Rhinos. Such a clinical offensive unit – the Ritchie Myler try is the best example of that. In Leeds’ third try, their passing ability was just too much for the Toronto Wolfpack and it ended with a Myler try.
These Rhinos right now 🦏🔥
Richie Myler finishes off a lovely Leeds try 👏@leedsrhinos v @TOwolfpack LIVE on Sky Sports Main Event & Arena NOW#SuperLeague #SLLeeTor pic.twitter.com/v0kYCntohc
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) March 5, 2020
This was probably the biggest reason why the Toronto Wolfpack lost the game. The Wolfpack were unable to complete defensive sets and Leeds took advantage. This was partly due to the skill level and passing ability of the Rhinos but, the Wolfpack defensive systems were left wanting.
To be fair, the Wolfpack played great defence in the first fourteen minutes of the second half; this included a try for Jack Wells. The assist of that try was given to Josh McCrone, who had a hand in plenty of input in the Toronto team’s efforts. Although, in the 54th minute, Wells made a terrible handling error that epitomized the Wolfpack’s game.
Discipline and turning over the ball was clearly a failure of the micro-skills and player decision making. A bit out of control, and a factor in the 66-12 hammering.
Discipline and Turning over the Ball
The Wolfpack controlled the mistakes and showed better discipline in the first half. The Sky Sports commentators said late in the first half that the Wolfpack only had one mistake and Leeds Rhinos had made four in the opening half. This was a high tackle committed by Jon Wilkin early in the first half. So at 30-6. the Leeds team still had work to do, to combat the visitors.
However, the second half was a different story. It started in the 54th minute when Wells made a handling error. This allowed Cameron Smith of the Rhinos to score, and from there it never improved for Toronto.
Whenever it looked like the Wolfpack were gaining any momentum, Leeds Rhinos would reply promptly. For example, McCrone’s try in the first quarter was promptly nullified by a Luke Gale try. And in the second half, Jack Wells scored in the 52nd minute, only for Smith to score in the 56th minute.
A game of ‘whatever you can do, we can do twice as good’ and reflected it in the 11 tries to two score-sheet.
Game Overview – Robert Lui and Josh McCrone show
The Toronto Wolfpack showed flashes of their potential throughout the game. However, in the end with the skill level of the Rhinos, the Wolfpack was unable to compete, to be honest. This is how Toronto Wolfpack head coach McDermott saw the game according to the Evening Post;
“We lack a little bit of belief in our defence. The Rhinos unpicked our systems.” He then continued, “Up until today it had just been fatigue that saw us dropping off tackles, but the Rhinos outsmarted us.”
This included Robert Lui who really stepped up for Leeds Rhinos creating and making tries throughout the game.
He was the stand-out player from Leeds Rhinos. McCrone also played well, as he scored the first try for the Wolfpack and assisted in the second try. Konrad Hurrell was his entertaining self, and a fan favourite for his post-try theatrics.
However, McDermott is confident the Wolfpack will be able to rebound. “Clubs and teams and environments and organizations all go through these really ugly days where you find out just how ugly we are and it doesn’t make things okay, but you’ve got to go through these moments along the journey.”
It is important to note that the Toronto Wolfpack have just been promoted up into Super League; after only three years. It will take a while for them to adjust to the tier one level. ‘Rome was not built in a day’. The side will have to look hard at how to improve and prepare themselves for the next game, as their March schedule continues.
Upcoming Games – Toronto Wolfpack schedule:
The Wolfpack will next play on Wednesday, March 11 against the Huddersfield Giants in the Challenge Cup, away at the John Smith’s Stadium. The game will take place at 7:45pm (3:45pm EST). They will not play another Super League round-robin game until Sunday, March 22. In that round 8 clash, they take on Wakefield Trinity at Bootham Crescent, York.
Important that the Wolfpack collect a win or two in that period, before they close out their March Super League schedule, against the Huddersfield Giants on Friday, March. 27.
Leeds Rhinos schedule:
Meanwhile, Leeds Rhinos have three Super League games left on their schedule this month. This includes traveling to Perpignan, France, to face the Catalan Dragons on Saturday, March. 14.
A Friday night fixture awaits home fans, when they host St. Helens R.F.C. at Emerald Headingley Stadium. The 7:45pm kickoff is perfect for bringing in a large home crowd, who can again expect fireworks from the likes of Robert Lui and Konrad Hurrell.
Their last Super League game will be against the Huddersfield Giants on Thursday, March 26. Played at the Mend-a-Hose Jungle, in Huddersfield, which ends a full schedule of games for the Rhinos in March.
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Follow Raheem Bashir as he reports on the Super League action, from his Toronto base. His Twitter handle is @bashirra and his Facebook page is full of his rugby league and Last Word on Sport contributions.
“Main photo credit”
Embed from Getty Images
