Danny McGuire and Jamie Jones-Buchanan were not included in the 19 this week after picking up knocks in the big clash at Knowsley Road and were added to the rising toll of injuries for Bluey. Sinfield started at stand-off whilst Worral took over the skippers usual position at loose-forward. Ellis continued his spell in the centres whilst Toops is still in rehabilitation after his dislocated shoulder in the World Club Challenge victory. Despite his performance at Saints, Ryan Hall missed out to the returning Lee Smith who was looking to continue his superb run of form during the Easter period. The hooter sounded and the table toppers were attacking into the sun.

Leeds were disrupted within the first 10 minutes, when Worral (shoulder) and Ali (knee) both had to retiret through injury, destined not to return for the remainder of the 80 minutes.

On 11 minutes, Sinfield launched a bomb on the 5th tackle, Wigan allowed it to bounce, Diskin collected the ball and spread wide with a fine long pass out to Donald who dived over, keeping his feet in the air to avoid touch, after running on the angle which fooled the Wigan defence. Sinfield failed to convert from the touchline but the Rhinos were ahead, 4-0.

6 minutes later and it was Wigan's turn to score. Pat Richards went over the line after some nice spinning passes out wide which drawed in the normally ever so tight Leeds defence. Richards converted his own try for a Warriors lead, 4-6.

As the clouds drew in, Senior gift wrapped the opposition 2 points as he held onto the shirt of a Wigan player whilst he was been tackled. Richards goaled from the 40 metre mark and made the score 4-8.

On 35, a forced drop out gave Leeds the opportunity to attack. The move culminated in an inside pass by Senior which enabled Kylie Leuluai to score under the sticks. Sinfield added the extras and the Rhinos regained the lead, 10-8.

The Leeds players would have been more than happy to go into the changing rooms at half time with a 2 point lead, but instead, Matt Diskin knocked on with just seconds remainding in the half. From the resulting scrum, a quick play and interchange of passes, one of which seemed forward, resulted in Thomas Leuluai scoring under the sticks. Inevitabley, Richards converted and it was Wigan going into the changing rooms with a half time lead.

The conditions which had deterioated in the later part of the first half did not improve during the second. This contributed a little to the fact that both defences were on top during the remainder of the game.

There were few opportunities to score despite considerable Leeds pressure in the last 25 minutes.

The best chance came on the 70 minute mark when a flowing move ended with Smith going over, but the touch judge intervined, calling a forward pass.

Last night the game became a battle of the forwards. The Wigan defence was outstanding whilst the Rhinos were hampered by loosing 2 forwards within the first 10 minutes, reducing the interchange options for the rest of the match.  

After a poor completion rate in the first half, Leeds in the secound saw more of the ball and had more territory, especially in the last quater of the game but failed to turn this into points.

Plenty of Rhinos performed 110% last night, especially the forwards, including Burgess and Peacock. Don't forget to take into account that their pack was seriously disrupted with both Ali and Worral injured only 10 minutes into the game. Others that contributed well included Smith, Donald and Ellis.

Referee: Steve Ganson

Video Referee: Ashley Klein

Crowd: 18,769

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