Leeds Rhinos claim comeback win over Huddersfield Giants' after remarkable gaffe
Leeds are fast becoming the comeback kings - but Jake Connor handed this to them thinking his Huddersfield side were WINNING.
Rohan Smith’s team rallied from 12-0 down to clinch a pulsating West Yorkshire derby with Cameron Smith's try. Three of their four Super League wins have seen them fight back after being in trouble. They did the same at champions St Helens and also when 22-8 down against Catalans.
Still, Leeds must have thought they had lost it when Huddersfield’s Chris McQueen scored his second try in the 67th minute. But Connor skewed his simple conversion attempt wide to leave the visitors 18-17 behind. And the England star then had a brain explosion when grubbering into touch in an attacking position soon after - a tactic only generally used when in FRONT.
Huddersfield boss Ian Watson revealed embarrassed Connor, their big signing from Hull brought in to give them a killer touch, thought they were. He said: “Jake lost track of it. He looked over his shoulder, saw 18-17 on the scoreboard and it’s caught him by surprise. He’s been caught up in the moment. He said he got it wrong. He’s put his hand up and been accountable. It happens sometimes. And we could have been smarter in the two sets after that.”
Things got more chaotic for Huddersfield - who lost usual kicker Olly Russell to a hamstring injury in training this week - when Tui Lololea was off-cue with a 77th minute drop goal. It was the fifth time in three years a meeting between these sides finished by a point or less. Leeds were 10-0 down inside just seven minutes after a shambolic start.
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Recalled Huddersfield winger Jermaine McGillvary and McQueen both scored. Connor slotted a conversion and they nearly got in again when Richie Myler was harshly sin-binned for collaring McGillvary high. But all Huddersfield could muster was a Connor penalty.
Leeds Rhinos’ Nene Macdonald collects a high ball against Huddersfield Giants during the Betfred Super League match at Headingley (Nigel French/PA Wire). (PA)Leeds responded with Ash Handley’s try but Connor booted a drop goal to make it 13-4 at the break. Austin slipped James McDonnell through to start the comeback and provided the pass for Rhyse Martin to score after a brilliant Harry Newman run. But Martin missed both his conversion attempts and Aidan Sezer was wide, too, when he took over kicking duties.
Still, Rhinos did take the lead when McGillvary spilled Sezer’s kick in the 59th minute and Smith mopped up. Martin converted for 18-13 and they held on as Giants gaffed. Smith admitted: “We certainly need to improve our first halves. But we look like we’re going to win every second half we play. I didn’t have any real flutter moments. It was good to round Easter off like that.”
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