Leeds Rhinos: Coach McDermott hails the champions' defence as Hall bags brace in Warrington win
BOSS BRIAN McDermott was pleased to see champions Leeds Rhinos kick off their Betfred Super League campaign with a 16-12 win at Warrington Wolves, but admitted it is too early to get carried away with the performance.
Rhinos led 12-0 after half an hour and were 16-6 in front until a late Warrington try set up a tense finish.
Ryan Hall scored a brace of tries and Jamie Jones-Buchanan got the other, but it was Leeds’ outstanding defence on their own goal line which secured the points.
McDermott had not won a Super League game at HJ Stadium as Leeds boss and he rated the performance as “okay to good”.
“I am really pleased we won and there was a lot of tackling practice from us,” he said.“Warrington will be better than that and that made it easier for us to defend.
“We will have to be better. It is a big moment because I am sick of coming here and explaining why we lost.
“It was a good win.”
McDermott felt all three debutants – Richie Myler, Brad Dwyer and Nathaniel Peteru – played well, hailed Hall for his stunning match-winning try and described teenage full-back Jack Walker’s performance as “great”.
McDermott added: “Some of our attack was good, but we need to be better as well. Our overall performance was good, but some moments in it were silly.
“Our game management in the last 15 minutes was crazy.”