Leeds Rhinos fans upset by second half lapses in France, worry over right-side defence v Warrington Wolves

Warrington are second in Betfred Super League - behind Leeds on points difference - with a game in hand and Rhinos will need to be much better than they were during the second half of last weekend’s 48-24 win at Toulouse Olympique. The YEP fans jury reckon Leeds’ right-side defence is the biggest concern, but Jake Connor’s outstanding form means they have a real chance of opening a two-point gap after 15 rounds. Here’s what our panel made of last Friday’s performance and their predictions for the trip to Warrington.

TOM GOLDSWORTHY

Leeds Rhinos finally won a game in France as they put in a somewhat ruthless performance to defeat Toulouse and keep themselves top of the Super League. Once again, Jake Connor stole the show; everything we created came through him as he notched up another five try-assists. At the start of the year there was a worry he wouldn’t be able to replicate the performances of last season when he won Man of Steel, but he has erased those doubts so far this season. He is clearly the best seven in the competition and the suggestions he should be starting for England at the World Cup are getting stronger.

Another player who deserves a mention is Harry Newman. While he is not everyone’s cup of tea, it takes a lot of mental strength to bounce back and regain a place in the first team after being dropped and then sent out on loan. The lad clearly has bags of talent and can be a game changer for us. Hopefully whatever was keeping him from being at his best is behind him and he can end his Rhinos career on a high.

The main criticism from last Friday is clearly the 20-minute period where we seemed to lose our way and Toulouse clawed themselves back into the game. I’ve said multiple times this season my main concern for this side is concentration and making sure we are staying focused for the full 80 minutes. Luckily it did not come back to haunt us this time and you can argue the weather did not help, but it is something that needs to be addressed if we are to push on to greater things.

Looking ahead to Warrington, this is a massive game as first go up against second. I believe we have the stronger squad and our form at the moment is outstanding. If we play to the best of our abilities and keep focus for the full duration of the game, there is no reason for us to lose against Wolves and not extend our lead at the top of the table.

KATIE MARCZYNSKI

What a tale of two halves our match against Toulouse was. A win’s a win, as they say, but that second half performance was reminiscent of the days of Rohan Smith - not a time many of us remember fondly.

From early on in the first half it was one-way traffic and looked like we’d be set for another high-scoring, low-conceding affair. With us 30-6 up at half time, it didn’t feel like there was a way into the game for Toulouse, but it was like a different Leeds team came out in the second half.

Sloppy play and some woeful defending gave Toulouse hope and our right-edge was in trouble once again. We absolutely must improve our away performance and our defence on that side for this week’s trip to Warrington, or else we’ll be punished.

I said at the start of the month I’d be happy for two wins from our four fixtures in June and we have that, but it’d be nice to get the win on Thursday. I’m not too hopeful, but here’s to consolidating our place in the league and finishing round 15 as the only team on 24 points.

DAVID MUHL

Well, what happened there? After 39 minutes we were 30-0 up and seemingly well in control, then we had a wobble and let Toulouse score 24 unanswered points and get right back into it. While our right-side combo of Harry Newman and Ryan Hall seems to be working in attack, it certainly isn’t in defence and the majority of Toulouse’s tries came down that side. I think this is an area Brad Arthur needs to look at urgently because Warrington will exploit this on Thursday.

Leeds put their foot back on the accelerator after their blip and ended up comfortable winners. I’m a glass half full type of chap so always try to look on the positives and there were plenty.

Maika Sivo continued his fantastic try scoring run, although he won’t score many easier ones and Fergie McCormack carried on his good run at full-back, scoring a good try and, other than one error, looking safe in defence. Jake Connor is playing some fantastic rugby at the moment and his kicking, both from hand and conversions, is almost faultless.

I was sceptical when Brad moved Ash Handley into the centres, but it has turned into a master stroke, he is playing some of his best rugby of his career. The forwards once again laid a solid platform, making good yardage at every play.

This win means Leeds are back at the top of the league, but Warrington are close behind with a game in hand. This makes Thursday’s game a real must-win one. It is still early in the season, but getting the advantage over Warrington would not only be a two-point lead in the table, but a real confidence boost.

IAIN SHARP

With the greatest respect to The Bard ...

Of fans, Toulouse had four chiliad and besides, they were all fresh. T’was fearful odds. Oh! If we had in Toulouse, but one one thousand of those Leeds fans in England that did no supporting today.

If we were marked to lose, we were enough to do our team loss .. And to win, then the fewer

fans here, the greater share of honour. God’s will!

I pray thee, wish not one fan more. Proclaim it, those which hath no stomach for the match, let them depart. Their passport shall be stamped and Euros for convoy put in their purse.

We would not support our team in that fan’s company, that fears their fellowship to lose with us.

That day was the feast of St John of Sahagun. Those that outlives that day and comes safe home to England, shall strip their sleeve and proudly show their bronzing and say ‘these tan lines I got watching Leeds win on St John’s day’.

We’ll remember, with advantages, what feats were done that day. Then shall their names be as familiar as household words…Harry the Newman, Maika The Sivo, McCormack and Hankinson, Croft and Cam Smith ... shall be in our flowing cups freshly remembered.

This story shall the good fans teach their children; the scoring of tries in France for the first time in years shall be remembered!

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers (and sisters); for those today that sang for Leeds with me, shall be my brother (or sister); this victory and two league points shall gentle our condition.

And those fans back in England now a-bed, should think themselves accursed they were not here, watching Leeds who fought for us in Toulouse to win upon Saint John’s day.

BECKY OXLEY

With Brad Arthur extending his contract for a couple more years, I am eager to see how this will impact the club. Will we secure some trophies and restore the glory days for the Rhinos?

Our opponents last weekend were Toulouse and they seemed destined ‘to lose’; on paper, the odds were in our favour, potentially by a significant margin.

Jake Connor was phenomenal, showcasing his skills with both his passes and kicks. It was undoubtedly a man-of-the-match performance. However, Toulouse made a remarkable comeback, scoring 24 unanswered points in just 15 minutes around half-time, leaving us feeling disoriented.

Our defense faltered and our attack became stagnant. I expressed to friends at one point that it was ‘absolutely embarrassing’ and I still hold that sentiment. During that period we resembled windmills, conceding points as if we had hit the jackpot.

On a positive note, we regrouped and managed to turn the tide, ultimately winning the game. The primary objective of any match is to secure a victory and we achieved that, so now we look forward to the next challenge.

This week, we face Warrington on their home turf, which will undoubtedly be a tough battle. I anticipate a closely-contested match and it will likely come down to which team can defend better on the night. Hopefully, the Rhinos will emerge victorious.