4-try Maika Sivo stars as Leeds Rhinos produce near-perfect performance to crush Hull KR 58-6 in Las Vegas
Very occasionally, things go exactly according to plan and it’s especially pleasing when that happens on a big stage.
The 2015 Challenge Cup final was one example for Leeds Rhinos and Saturday’s historic Betfred Super League showdown against the same opponents, Hull KR, unfolded in a similar manner. Like the 50-0 win at Wembley 11 years ago, Rhinos’ 58-6 win in Las Vegas is one Leeds fans lucky enough to be among the 45,719 crowd will talk about for years.
It was probably a good time to play Hull KR, who added the World Club Challenge silverware to their haul of Challenge Cup, league leaders’ shield and Super League trophy just nine days earlier. Though their coach Willie Peters made no excuses for a disastrous performance, there clearly was a hangover, but that shouldn’t detract from how well Leeds played.
They were dominant from start to finish and ran in 10 tries, including four by winger Maika Sivo - taking his total in two games for Rhinos to six. Leeds could have put the cue on the rack after leading 28-0 at half-time and by 34 points soon afterwards, but were utterly ruthless.
Sivo’s first two tries proved he is a world class finisher, but he got the opportunities because Rhinos’ pack overpowered the opposing forwards and that created the space for halves Brodie Croft and Jake Connor - who were magnificent - to strut their stuff.
Rhinos had no weak link and being able to perform like this in round three is a hugely positive sign for the season ahead. The opening two tries were scored by Sivo off Connor’s passes, the latter booting the first two of six goals from seven attempts. The other hit a post.
Skipper Ash Handley was impressive in his first competitive appearance of the season and did well with an offload to Connor in the build up to the second score, then Connor’s boot laid the platform for Rhinos’ third try early in the second quarter. The former Hull FC man landed a superb 40-20 almost on the corner flag and in the resulting set some brilliant footwork by Croft carried him between the posts.
Leeds struck again 11 minutes before the interval when Palasia stormed over from first-receiver. A rare Robins attack forced a drop out, but Miller went short, Sivo gathered and stormed upfield and, after Peta Hiku stopped him, the ball went right for Ryan Hall to scoot through on the opposite flank for his 350th career try, Connor and Croft combining in the build-up.
Video ref Tom Grant backed up the on-field call on ‘no try’ when Hull’s KR’s Jez Litten crossed, having spotted an obstruction in back play and a minute before the interval Miller touched down, but referee Jack Smith ruled it out for obstruction without needing to check.
Acting-half Danny Levi has brought a new dimension to Leeds’ attack and he put Croft over on 51 minutes before Sivo completed his hat-trick from Miller’s pass. Joe Burgess’ try prevented a whitewash, Rhyse Martin converting, but Sivo added his fourth touchdown off a ball from Handley and starting prop Cooper Jenkins returned from the bench to cross twice in the last three minutes, showing impressive pace for the second of those.
Connor was given a deserved rest in the closing stages, so the final three goals were booted by his replacement Chris Hankinson. The last, from wide out, completed a near-perfect 80 minutes for Leeds. Palasia's touchdown and Sivo's second and fourth tries were awarded by Grant after referral from on-field official Smith. Hull KR received eight penalties to Rhinos’ five (it was three-each in the first half) and both teams received one set-restart.
Hull KR: Broadbent, Davies, Hiku, Gildart, Burgess, Lewis, May, Sue, Litten, Amone, Hadley, Batchelor, Minchella. Subs Luckley, Whitbread, Martin, Lawton.
Leeds Rhinos: Miller, Sivo, Newman, Handley, Hall, Croft, Connor, Jenkins, Levi, Palasia, Watkins, McDonnell, Smith. Subs O’Connor, Holroyd, Hankinson, Littlewood.
Referee: Jack Smith (Wigan). Attendance: 45,719.
The Yorkshire Evening Post’s coverage of Leeds Rhinos in Las Vegas is in association with Betfred Super League. Saturday’s showdown between Rhinos and Hull KR at Allegiant Stadium is an early highlight of a packed year of club rugby league action which also includes the Challenge Cup final at Wembley on May 30, Magic Weekend’s blockbuster return to Everton FC’s Hill Dickinson Stadium on July 4-5 and the Super League Grand Final on October 3 at Old Trafford. Experience live Super League. League Hits Different. To guarantee your place, visit Super League | Tickets.