Leeds Rhinos hit by injuries but crush Bradford Bulls in Cameron Smith testimonial

Second-rower James McDonnell, winger Chris Hankinson, centre Ash Handley and his replacement Max Simpson all went off during Leeds’ 46-16 win. Handley, returning from groin surgery, scored two tries before sustaining what looked like a similar issue.

Simpson has had wretched luck with injury and he beat the ground in frustration after being hurt 13 minutes from time. McDonnell was in clear pain when he left proceedings inside the opening quarter and Hankinson followed moments later, having suffered a broken nose.

Two weeks out from their opening game of the season, in the Betfred Challenge Cup third round, an injury pileup was the last thing Leeds needed. Other than that, it was relatively straightforward. Rhinos dominated most of the game and eventually ran away with it, despite making numerous changes, after letting Bulls back into the contest on three occasions. The halves led the way, with Brodie Croft scoring a hat-trick and Jake Connor being involved in three tries. Fittingly, Smith scored and try and booted two conversions, looking good in his comeback game following back surgery.

Leeds went ahead after 20 minutes when Connor’s kick was spilled by Jayden Okunbor and Riley Lumb reacted quickly to pick up and send Handley over. Leeds were totally dominant for the opening quarter, but their four point lead - Connor’s conversion attempt having hit a post - was short lived as Joe Keyes broke down Bulls’ right and beat Lachie Miller and Lumb in a race to the line. Rhinos old boy Luke Hooley converted from wide out, but the hosts were back in front soon afterwards through Handley, who ran on to a beautifully-judged kick by Connor. He landed the first of five goals.

Ethan O’Neill looks like being a good signing for Leeds. When he powered over from Miller’s pass the hosts were back in total control. But concentration lapses after they’ve scored are a long-running issue for Rhinos; Ryan Hall dropped the restart and couldn’t keep his opposite number Ethan Ryan out following the subsequent scrum. Hooley’s second touchline goal, from the opposite flank, cut the gap to four at the break, at 16-12.

Connor has a lot to live up to after his Man of Steel season in 2025. This was a decent start and his highlight was a lovely inside pass to send half-back Croft over untouched at the start of the second half. Again, Leeds invited the visitors back into the contest, three errors being punished eventually by Ryan’s second spectacular finish.

Miller had some iffy moments - including not finding touch with a penalty and taking the tackle when Harry Newman had a clear run to the line on his outside. However, his low kick created Rhinos’ fifth try, Croft getting to it just before the ball went dead. Croft dummied and darted over soon afterwards.

Connor was rested then and Smith improved the final two tries, his own - off a one-two with O’Neill - and one by Presley Cassell, from youngster George Brown’s pass. Bulls were resilient, but faded and have a lot of work to do to be competitive in the top-flight.

Rhinos received six set-restarts to the visitors’ one. The penalty count was six-two, also in Leeds’ favour.

Leeds Rhinos: Miller, Hankinson, Newman, Handley, Hall, Croft, Connor, Jenkins, Levi, Holroyd, McDonnell, O'Neill, Smith. Subs Lumb, Simpson, McCormack, Oledzki, Nicholson-Watton, Watkins, O'Connor, Cassell, Stead, G Brown, O Brown, Thomas.

Bradford Bulls: from Hooley, Okunbor, Wynne, Blake, Ryan, Nikorima, Keyes, Doro, Souter, Lewis, Ruan, Russell, Peposhi. Subs Marsters, Aekins, Douglas, Michael, Gill, Hallas.

Referee: Tom Grant (Leeds). Attendance: 6,751.