'Need a miracle': Leeds Rhinos Jury slam missed chances in loss v Hull FC, fear a tough night at St Helens

By Peter Smith
Published 27th Feb 2023, 12:00 BST
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Some of the YEP Rhinos Jury are a little bit more upbeat this week, but others fear a long and difficult season ahead.

Missed opportunities were blamed for the Betfred Super League round two loss to Hull FC and hopes are not high for Friday’s visit to St Helens.

While Justin Sangare is emerging as a favourite, our panel are less happy with some senior players in the team.

IAIN SHARP

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Justin Sangare is becoming a favourite of the YEP Jury. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.Justin Sangare is becoming a favourite of the YEP Jury. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.
Justin Sangare is becoming a favourite of the YEP Jury. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

Me testing positive for Covid on the eve of the first home game of the season against Hull FC destroyed the notion that even germs have standards and meant that I had to review the proceedings from my sick bed.

Certainly, the consensus was that Leeds played better than they did against Warrington and the main problem this week seemed to be the calamity passing at vital times as the score see-sawed between the teams.

Of course, you also need to factor in one of the great laws of the universe, where ex-players turn up and score against you.

Leeds are crying out for the return of Mik Oledzki, James Bentley and a fully fit Harry Newman and with those players readily available, I’d suggest we’d be ‘different gravy’. Leeds didn’t start winning until May last year and still made it to the Grand Final, so there is still plenty of time yet.

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The ball flying into touch late on underlined Rhinos' problems, according to YEP Jury member Tom Goldsworthy. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.The ball flying into touch late on underlined Rhinos' problems, according to YEP Jury member Tom Goldsworthy. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.
The ball flying into touch late on underlined Rhinos' problems, according to YEP Jury member Tom Goldsworthy. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

This week is away to newly crowned world club champions St Helens and is effectively a free hit, with everyone expecting an easy home win, so Leeds can play with the freedom of no pressure on them and stranger things have happened.

BECKY OXLEY

I loved being back in my spot on the East Terrace at Headingley. Hull is always a big game and it was going to be more so with Brad Dwyer and Liam Sutcliffe returning for the first time since their move in the off season.

It was also uncle against nephew, Tony versus Rohan for the first time this season. Tony did a lot for us at Leeds when he was managing and that soft spot for him will always be there, but on Friday night there was only one team I was wanting to win and that was the Rhinos.