Leeds Rhinos fans split over league leaders' shield hopes and star player's future after loss v Leigh Leopards

Rhinos are now level on points with second-placed Wigan Warriors who visit AMT Headingley in the penultimate round of the season. There’s also debate among our panel about the future of one of Rhinos’ star players. Here’s what the Jury made of last week’s match, where they believe Rhinos need to improve and their thoughts on the task ahead.

KATIE MARCZYNSKI

We didn’t deserve to win on Thursday and we’ve been far from our best for a while. We can’t continue to play poorly and win, it was always going to catch us out at some point.

Leigh didn’t blow us out of the park, but they defended like their lives depended on it and wanted it more. In contrast, our defence was poor and our game management was questionable at times. There were a couple of moments we should have kicked for goal and chose not to, only for it to come to nothing.

Who knows, maybe this loss - our first at home this season - will give us the push we need to regain our form heading into the final four games. I still doubt whether we’re capable of beating Wigan, although if we can win our other remaining games then that may not actually matter.

First up we're away at York on Sunday - a game I can’t see us losing - followed by a trip to St Helens the following Friday. Saints are a definite bogey team and still in with a chance of making the play-offs, so that won't be easy. We finish the season by welcoming Wigan and Hull FC. For now, top spot is still in our hands - let’s hope we don’t bottle it.

TOM GOLDSWORTHY

In what was an end-to-end battle, Leigh somehow withstood massive amounts of Leeds pressure to come away from Headingley with two points. The Leopards did well defensively, exposed our edges at ease and were backed by some dubious calls from the referee, but ultimately this was a game Leeds should have won.

I still have no idea how we did not score a try in that second half. The amount of possession we had on their line should have led to points, but our attack looked panicked and disjointed throughout the match.

After his suspension, Lachie Miller looks miles from the player we know he can be. He goes into ‘superhero’ mode and tries to do it by himself. That impacts on Brodie Croft and Jake Connor’s ability to win the game for us and it did stifle the Rhinos on Thursday night.

I think we also missed Danny Levi massively. Jarrod O’Connor is a very important part of our team and has come on leaps and bounds this season, but I do think he’s a bit too slow when playing the ball and gave Leigh time to reset whereas Levi would have taken advantage of a tiring defence.

It was a bad day at the office for most players when we had the ball, such as Ash Handley knocking on when we were about to score, but I would rather get this performance out of the way now than when it matters in the play-offs. We definitely need a reshuffle on the wings as Leigh cut through us with ease and it was the same culprits every time.

It pains me to say this after all he's done for the club, but it might be time for Ryan Hall to call it a day, especially as a winger. He still puts in a shift when carrying the ball, but his lack of pace is letting him down in defence. He had practically given up when Josh Charnley got past him for Leigh's winner.

I don’t think Handley helped him with his positioning, but it just exposed Hall’s weaknesses even more. He was unlucky with the disallowed try, but I can’t help but think Maika Sivo would have scored that.

Thankfully we have a 10-day gap before our game against York where the boys can take a well needed break as they looked tired. York have shown they are no pushovers since coming up to the Super League, but I imagine Leeds will want to prove a point after this disappointing result and it could be a long day for the Knights.

DAVID MUHL

I wish every Super League game was as good as last week’s. It had everything, great tries, superb defence and even a sin-binning. The only thing missing was a Leeds victory.

Looking at the stats, it’s difficult to see why we didn’t win. We totally dominated the game, but Leigh tackled like demons. We had our chances to win, but seemed a little disjointed in attack at times and in rugby league the difference between winning and losing can be millimetres; if Ryan Hall had cut his toenails before the game his try wouldn’t have been disallowed.

It also meant we lost our 100 per cent home record and Leigh have done the double on us. Our forwards played well, Tom Holroyd is playing his best rugby and I think they must feed him raw meat. Zak Lloyd certainly doesn’t look like a player with just two games under his belt. The thing that surprised me was Brad Arthur decided to have a back on the bench, but we are starting to lose players to injuries just as other teams are getting theirs back so maybe he had little choice.

We are badly missing Keenan Palasia. He always puts us on the front foot so hopefully the signing of Matt Lodge will fill that gap. I’m still confident we’ll win the league leaders’ shield. Although Wigan are now level on points, our points difference is worth an extra one and I think they have a harder run in than us.

Our game against Wigan will be a massive game, although we also have to play Saints who are starting to come good and beat Wakefield easily at the weekend. A trip to York next after an extended break which should be good for us after a couple of tough games.

BECKY OXLEY

I was uncertain whether we were experiencing a heatwave in August or celebrating Christmas with reindeer and the Grinch present - accompanied by Christmas songs - as I arrived at the venue. It promised to be an exciting match and after our victory over Wakefield I questioned whether the quick turnaround would affect the outcome last Thursday.

The reserves started the evening with an impressive win against Hull, propelling them into their semi-finals. This is a significant achievement, showcasing the potential of some future stars and it’s thrilling to witness their development.

The main game was exhilarating and relentless. There were numerous positives to take away and in my view it was Leigh’s outstanding defence that secured their victory. We applied immense pressure and they managed to endure a lot. At times, we seemed to over-pass in our attempts to score, leading to a few mistakes that Leigh capitalised on.

I felt sympathy for Ryan Hall in the closing moments of the match. His foot was mere millimeters from being in play. He gave everything he had and once again Leigh demonstrated excellent defence.

Fans have been quick to criticise Ryan, suggesting he is no longer suited to the winger position and should consider moving to second-row if he stays. While he may not be as fast as some of his teammates, I still regard him as a valuable player. He has a keen understanding of the game and, with his experience, continues to read the play effectively.

Next on the agenda is York. We have a longer break which should aid in recovering from minor injuries and allow us to reset as we approach the crucial phase of the season. However, York will not be an easy opponent given their recent form, so I am eager for another thrilling match that, hopefully, will favour the Rhinos.

IAIN SHARP

Leeds fans cast their eyes to the heavens late on Thursday evening, not in an attempt to see the eclipse again, but as Ryan Hall’s boot grazed the whitewash just before touching down and the difference between a partially unbeaten record and the totality of potentially not losing at home all season.

It was also referee Chris Kendall’s national no offside week and I don’t think he bothered

penalising either side for straying inside 10 yards at the play-the-ball. I find it hard to believe no side was offside, that I could recall. There were certainly times it could have been called, from where I was sitting and it either means he chose not to penalise it - so, why not? - or wasn’t proficient enough to enforce the rules. With the amount of technology out there, this could be easily rectified going forward.

Leeds really had no one to blame but themselves, attempting to play Champagne football at every opportunity, when calming down and cool heads - difficult I know, on one of the hottest days of the year - could have brought victory.

It’s York this week and one of the most anticipated away days this season given the proximity, York being a good day out generally and that Leeds haven’t played a league game there for donkey’s years. It’s also one of my easier away games. Safe travels everyone.