22 February 2024 , 23:06
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Willie Peters backed Jez Litten to make an England shirt his own after the Hull KR hooker helped see off Leeds.
With fellow No9 Matt Parcell banned, the livewire 25 year-old played the full 80 minutes and picked Rhinos apart. He set up Sauaso Sue’s first half try and, after Peta Hiku’s boot nightmare in last week’s derby, also slotted all five goals as KR’s third-choice kicker. Peters said: "He’s first choice now!
“Overall, though, this could be a significant moment in Jez’s career where he can take it to the next level and be an 80 minute hooker. We have two very good hookers. He’s had one game for England but I can see him in that international scene a lot more now. It was a positive step. I told him if he needs a spell [off] I’ve got a Plan B but I could do with 80 from him. And he did. As did Elliot Minchella. They ate it up exceptionally well.”
Second half tries from Hiku and another from veteran England winger Ryan Hall saw Rovers take control after leading 8-6 at the break. But they had to dig it out in awful conditions on another night of card drama. Leeds saw James Donaldson and Sam Lisone sin-binned for high tackles.
And Rovers saw Hiku yellow carded early on for a professional foul. There was a minute’s applause before kick-off for Rob Crossland, the popular former KR vice-chairman who died aged 57 after a battle with cancer. Leeds lost Lachie Miller after he felt ill in the warm-up meaning full-back Alfie Edgell, 19, came in for only his second game.
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They trailed just 14-12 after Ash Handley’s second wonder try in as many games just before the hour courtesy of Brodie Croft’s stunning crossfield kick. But Lisone’s 67th minute high shot on Minchella saw Litten make it 16-12.
Hull KR's Mikey Lewis is dragged down (PA)England centre Harry Newman scored on his 100th career appearance to get Leeds going early on. Rhyse Martin slotted the first of his two conversions but then they soon got pegged back. Rhinos boss Rohan Smith wasn’t happy with Lisone’s yellow.
He said: “It’s the way the game is now. Anyone feels contact there, they’re making it look worse than it is. It’s like football in some ways. It was a high tackle and we respect it was a penalty but was it a yellow card? I’m not sure."