02 March 2024 , 18:15
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Hard-hitting Brodie Croft found his mean streak as Leeds ended Catalans’ winning start.
The Aussie stand-off is more known for his silky skills. But here the ex-Man of Steel showed his defensive prowess to stir Rhinos into action. Croft produced one fearsome hit to rattle Theo Fages and then blasted into Arthur Morgue to force another error.
But the pick of the bunch was when the diminutive playmaker picked up and drove Aussie enforcer Tariq Sims down the field to rev’ up the Headingley crowd. On the big-money signing from Salford, boss Rohan Smith enthused: “Brodie came here with all the fanfare about his attack and what he can do with the ball.
“And he came up with some big plays again today. But what he is is a great competitor. He’s tough as and is an exceptional competitor. He showed that today. Something good came off the back of that [Fages hit]. And he came up with a great play for Ash Handley’s first try. But I loved the bravery of our players to play some footy today.”
Catalans, who lost England prop Mike McMeeken to a back spasm in the warm-up, dominated most of the first period but gained nothing. Instead, Leeds scored the first time they got in the French side’s half, England winger Handley getting the first of his double after latching onto Croft’s grubber in the 23rd minute. And they crossed for back-to-back efforts when Croft sent ex-Dragons prop Mickael Goudemand charging through, Harry Newman eventually going over for a 10-0 lead.
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Beaten Grand Finalists Catalans, who saw impressive prop Chris Satate cross and Morgue kick three goals, rued three yellow card decisions. Sims was binned for a high challenge as Newman bagged that 26th minute try. That also resulted in the rarity of a penalty in the act of scoring which Rhyse Martin duly slotted. Jordan Dezaria was shown a yellow after copping Croft high just before the hour - although the Rhinos playmaker appeared to be dipping into the tackle.
And then Romain Navarrete was given ten minutes in the closing stages for a professional foul which allowed Martin to make sure of the win. Leeds saw French prop Justin Sangare yellow carded for a 53rd minute high tackle on Alrix Da Costa. But Rhinos team-mate James Bentley was lucky not to see a card for a forearm in the face of Sims after just eight minutes in retaliation to a high contact.
Referee Chris Kendall opted to just give both players a warning. Catalans boss Steve McNamara felt it could have been punished more severely but had no real complaints. Smith felt all the yellows were "unfortunate." McNamara said: “We felt we dominated field position and possession in that first half but didn’t play with any speed in attack.
“We were a little blunt. And then suddenly we were ten-nil down with a man in the bin. The response was really good. We got ourselves into position to win. We had enough to get it done. But then there was another lack of discipline.”