Pre-Season Matches

[Cheese]

mrsr was going i hear. sure she will fill us in later.

looking forward to it actually.,

[MossdaleRhino]

(01-15-2012 07:00 PM)Saint Until I Die Wrote:  Good experience for your younger boys.

Yeah it sounds like it was. I have high hopes for our young fellas this year, plenty of talent in the squad which should ensure a decent season for our U20s in 2012.

[chesterhino]

Old boy Jordan Tansey was a thorn in Leeds Rhinos’ side as their under-20s went down 26-18 at York City Knights


The much-travelled Tansey is aiming to rebuild his career in the Co-op Championship with York and, despite clear signs of ring rust, he had a little too much class and know-how for Rhinos’ youngsters.

Rhinos were excellent in the first half, but – after Tansey’s introduction – they saw little ball following the break and eventually their eager defence was over-powered.

Leeds were two scores clear twice and it was a good work-out against decent opposition who – even without player-coach Chris Thorman and former Wakefield front-rower Paul King – fielded an experienced line-up.

Rhinos showed great enthusiasm, matched York physically and played the better rugby for much of the game, but a heavy adverse penalty count and lack of cohesion on the opposition line proved costly.

Encouraging

“We had a group of 17/18/19-year-olds with a couple of 20s, so I thought it was an encouraging performance against a fairly strong York team,” said Rhinos under-20s coach Chris Plume.

“I thought we dominated a lot of stuff in the first half. Defensively we halted a lot of their progress, with the ball we threw it around and asked some questions and we got over the line a couple of times.

“I was pleased with the first half, but half-time came at the wrong time for us. In the second half we got sloppy in some defensive areas.

“We allowed the opposition to get a bit of momentum, we conceded some penalties and things went against us. That’s something for these young players to work on.”

York’s starting 13 included George Elliott, who played one Super League game for Leeds last term.

Another Rhinos connection was substitute Brooke Broughton, a one-time Leeds academy player who is dual-registered with Warrington Wolves.

The only Leeds player with any senior game time under his belt was Brad Singleton, who came off the bench once in 2011.

A specialist prop, Singleton captained the team from loose-forward, which could be an indication of how Rhinos’ management see roles changing as the number of permitted substitutions are reduced.

Singleton was one of five full-time players in Rhinos’ ranks, alongside winger Jamel Chisholm stand-off Stevie Ward, prop Daniel Smith and hooker Liam Hood.

Ward and half-back partner Sean Casey formed a classy combination – particularly in the second quarter – and Singleton had a strong game, but the lively Hood looked the closest to being ready for first-team action.

Ward’s clever kick led to the opening try on seven minutes. York’s defence thought it was going dead, but Matty Syron chased a lost cause and batted the ball back for Jimmy Watson to touch down.

York loose-forward Jack Aldous exposed some naïve defence by creating an overlap for Brett Turner to send Dave Sutton over for an unconverted try moments later.

Aldous – normally a prop and playing a similar role to Singleton –showed some good touches for York, as did full-back James Haynes.

It was German international Jimmy Keinhorst’s first game since signing a part-time contract with Leeds after impressing as a trialist for the under-21s last year.

The Leeds Metropolitan University student was one of Leeds’ better performers and illustrated why Rhinos’ management think so highly of him with a wonderful pass to set up a try for Chisholm, the two-time fastest man in rugby league winner, who juggled before finishing impressively tight to the left touchline.

Casey landed his second conversion.

That sparked Rhinos’ best spell of the game and – despite some defensive resilience by York – they would have been further than 12-4 up at the break had they taken better options.

Colton Roche was held up over the line, but Ward had the best chance when he intercepted deep in Leeds territory. He didn’t have the legs to go all the way and Ben Hellewell – another Warrington dual-reg player – ran him down.

Tansey’s introduction – plus a flurry of penalties – gave York an extra gear after the break and Jack Lee danced over for a close-range try, Haynes adding the extras to cut the gap to two points.

Full-back Watson, another player tipped for a bright future, stood his ground to make a fine try-saving tackle after Sutton’s touchline dash.

Moments later Rhinos extended their lead when Ollie Olds made a break which Aaron Brown finished and big prop Daniel Smith landed a terrific touchline goal.

Sutton’s second try got York back in the game on the hour and Adam Howard rumbled over moments later, Haynes’ goal edging the hosts ahead.

Howard then carved out a try for Adam Sullivan and Hellewell’s conversion completed the scoring.

The game was refereed by former York player Jamie Bloem. His penalty count was 13-6 in York’s favour and a lopsided 7-2 in the second period, which played a significant part in the hosts’ fightback

[chesterhino]

Super League Champions Leeds Rhinos will field a virtually full strength team for their final pre-season game against Championship winners Featherstone Rovers at Headingley Carnegie on Friday night, kick off 8pm, in Rob Burrow's Testimonial game.
Burrow made his debut for the Rhinos back in 2001 and his first start for Leeds came in Daryl Powell's first game as Head Coach. Powell will now return to Headingley Carnegie with his Featherstone side to honour one of the most exciting players in the modern game.

Burrow will start alongside Danny McGuire in the half backs with Kevin Sinfield not included for this game. Lee Smith starts on the wing with Kallum Watkins and Zak Hardaker teaming up in the centres, the latter playing against his former club.

Paul McShane gets his chance at hooker whilst new signings Darrell Griffin and Richard Moore are included on the bench.
Commenting on the team Head Coach Brian McDermott said, "We are fielding our strongest possible team as this is an important game for us as we prepare for the season. We have not selected Kevin Sinfield and Jamie Peacock because both players are at a stage in their career when we don't need them to play any additional fixtures considering how much game time they played last season and will hopefully do again this year otherwise we are at full strength.

"Rob has been a fantastic player for Leeds down the years and has been central to the success we have had. I hope Leeds supporters turn out in large numbers to support him because he has given us all some fantastic memories over the last ten years," added McDermott.

Tickets are £15 for adults, £10 for concessions and just £5 for juniors which is for all areas of the ground, whether seating or standing. The South Stand is closed for this game however the Supporters Club will be open from 5.30pm in the South Stand car park as usual on a match night. Turnstiles open at 6pm and for this game, car parking is available in Car Park F for supporters priced £4 per car whilst space permits.

The team in full is:
1. Brent Webb
14. Lee Smith
3. Kallum Watkins
4. Zak Hardaker
5. Ryan Hall
6. Danny McGuire
7. Rob Burrow
8. Kylie Leuluai
9. Paul McShane
16. Ryan Bailey
11. Jamie Jones-Buchanan
14. Brett Delaney
12. Carl Ablett
19. Weller Hauraki
24. Liam Hood
20. Darrell Griffin
21. Richard Moore
18. Chris Clarkson


good line up for a friendly.....anyone else going?

i shall be in the upper carnegie stand tonight with the south stand closed!

[stevierhino1]

we're in the carnegie seats

[GavinC1995]

Why isn't BJB playing?
I think it should be a good game tonight sadly i'm unable to attend.
Its stupid South Stand being closed, should have closed it for a Carnegie game where there attendance is rubbish.

[LeedsBarmyArmy]

Good strong squad!

Great to see so many English players!

[chesterhino]

think its more of mcdermott giving smith a final chance before the season to put his claim down for a place in the 13....

[adam-rhinos]

Watson
Jones-Bishop, Keinhorst, Pring, Chisholm
Ward, Casey
Singleton, Brown, Ambler
Bravo, Kirke
Pitts

Olds, D Smith, Roche, Davies

[chesterhino]

any reason for bish being in this team?