Archive
Sat, 03 May 2008
Leeds Rhinos V Bradford Bulls
Bradford Bulls: Dave Halley, James Evans, Paul Sykes, Shontayne Hape, Semi Tadulala, Iestyn Harris, Paul Deacon, Andy Lynch, Terry Newton, Sam Burgess, David Solomona, Jamie Langley, Glenn Morrison
Subs: Tame Tupou, Wayne Godwin, Chris Nero, Simon Finnigan
Tries: Shontayne Hape, Semi Tadulala(2), Sam Burgess
Goals: Paul Deacon(5)
Leeds Rhinos: Webb, Hall, Watkins, Senior, Donald, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Diskin, Scruton, Ablett, Peacock, Sinfield.
Subs: Tansey, Burgess, Worrall, Anselme.
Tries: Webb, Hall, Watkins, Senior, Donald, Leuluai, Anselme.
Goals: Sinfield (6 from 7)
REPORT
The Leeds Rhinos turned on the style in front of a 30,628 crowd at the Millennium Stadium to claim a second Millenium Magic victory over the Bulls and open up a seven-point lead at the top of the table with a 40-26 win.
After their fortuitous, nail-biting win over the Bulls in the inaugural Millennium Magic event, there was no disputing Rhinos’ superiority 12 months on as they outscored their opponents seven tries to four.
France international Eric Anselme made a fairytale start to his English career with one of Leeds’ spectacular tries and 17-year-old centre Kallum Watkins also scored on his full Super League debut.
Yet the Bulls were on course to avenge their agonising 42-38 defeat at the Millennium Stadium a year ago as well as a 44-2 humiliation at Headingley Carnegie over Easter when they led 10-6 at half-time.
Former Wakefield Trinity winger Semi Tadulala continued his rich vein of form with his 10th try in six games, finishing decisively at the corner after taking a long pass from his old Wildcats team-mate David Solomona.
Bradford’s lead lasted only seven minutes, however, with Leeds captain Kevin Sinfield converting Watkins’ 14th-minute try, which was the product of a superb offload from the tackle by prop Kylie Leuluai.
Leeds quickly began to look the more creative, with stand-off Danny McGuire weaving his magic to get winger Scott Donald over the line only to be held up, but Bradford’s defence looked solid up to the break.
While the Rhinos ran the ball at every opportunity, Bulls skipper Paul Deacon was happy to kick for goal after his side were twice awarded penalties and he edged them 8-6 in front.
He extended the lead to 10-6 by half-time, more than making up for a missed conversion, with a 45-metre kick after McGuire was penalised for a ball-steal.
But the game was turned on its head within six minutes of the restart when Leeds thrilled the crowd with two magnificent long-range tries.
Watkins further underlined his promised with a break from deep inside his own half and full-back Brent Webb continued the move to send Anselme over for a try.
The champions matched that sparkling effort when McGuire’s short ball got substitute Simon Worrall sprinting through a gap 70 metres out and centre Keith Senior was in support to touch down.
Sinfield added both conversions to make it 18-10 and the game went further away from the Bulls when their defence was cracked twice more in a three-minute spell.
Webb’s long pass enabled Donald, Super League’s leading tryscorer, to cross for his 13th touchdown of the season, and he then turned provided for the New Zealand full-back to score.
Sinfield took his goal tally to four from five attempts as Leeds established a 28-10 lead.
Solomona crafted a second try for Tadulala and centre Shontayne Hape forced his way over for a touchdown but Leeds were simply irresistible and finished strongly with two further tries in the final quarter.
Right winger Ryan Hall intercepted Solomona’s pass to sprint over from halfway and prop Kylie Leuluai barged over, although Bradford had the consolation of scoring the final try, with Sam Burgess winning the race to Deacon’s grubber kick.
POST-MATCH COMMENTS
Steve McNamara was far from happy with Bradford's display,
"We are disappointed with the result and disappointed with the performance," he said.
"We started both halves slowly and paid the price. I think with about 12 minutes to go we got ourselves back with 10 points and then imploded again."
"Our kicking game was awful in the first half - we gave up too much field position."
"In the second half it was our lapses in concentration defensively that really hurt us. We fell asleep and were hit with three quick tries."
"It was still a pretty strong (Leeds) side out as far as I can see. It's not about the names on the sheet it's about how you perform."
Leeds coach Brian McClennan felt his side reaped the benefit of passing the ball during their blistering start to the second half.
"In the second half we got off to a better start by passing the ball a bit more. We kicked on and we enjoyed that," he said said.
"It was bit of an error-ridden match but we are happy to get away with it."
"I don't think it was a great game but there were moments that were really good, we will savour those."