Aussie debutant Brad Schneider landed the winning drop goal three minutes into extra-time to give the injury-hit Robins a hard-earned and unlikely 19-18 success, ending Rhinos’ three-match winning run and shattering their hopes of going sixth in Betfred Super League.
The wet conditions didn’t suit Rhinos, who made too many mistakes and weren’t smart enough in the crucial final quarter of the 80.
Rhinos - beaten in similar fashion by St Helens in May - managed two tries before the break, from their only real spells of pressure In the second they had much more territory, but scored only once, from a kick.
Losing stand-off Blake Austin, Super League’s reigning player of the month, soon after half-time didn’t help.
Rhinos’ failure to even attempt set up for a drop goal in the final few minutes was poor game management, though credit to Rovers who managed to hold up Justin Sangae, Rhyse Martin and Mikolaj Oledzki over their line under heavy pressure.
Justin Sangare knocked on at a play-the-ball near Rovers’ line in the final moments of normal time and then spilled the ball right at the start of golden-point.
Schneider fluffed the subsequent drop goal attempt, but in the next set, still deep in their territory, David Fusitu’a made lost possession to give him another chance, which he took.
In front of a croewd of 13,728, Schneider scored the opening try after just seven minutes, but Rhinos hit back quickly with a smart touchdown from acting-half by hooker Jarrod O’Connor.
Tom Opacic ran on to Schneider’s kick to edge the Robins back in front, before sending winger Louis Senior in at the corner for the third try.
Substitute Corey Johnson scored his first Rhinos try within seconds of entering the action, supporting Nene Macdonald’s line break and Martin’s second conversion cut the deficit to four points.
Rowan Milnes, who had improved the Robins’ first two tries booted a penalty with the last kick of the half to send the visitors in at the break 18-12 ahead.
Ash Handley, in his 200th career appearance, scored his 100th Super League try late in the third quarter, running on to Aidan Sezer’s intelligent kick early in the tackle count.
Martin’s touchline goal levelled the scores, but Leeds let a game they should have won slip away. Here’s how the Leeds playes rated.
Rhinos - beaten in similar fashion by St Helens in May - managed two tries before the break, from their only real spells of pressure In the second they had much more territory, but scored only once, from a kick.
![Not his night, threatened a few times, but was kept in check throughout 5.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmY1N2MxMDgyLTZjYzUtNDZlZC1hZGFhLTk5OWNmMjBmM2E0MDoxNjU3MDE2Zi0xZWIyLTQ1MTctODNjZC05YzhhY2YzZWJmOTE=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=600)
13. Cameron Smith (no 13)
Not his night, threatened a few times, but was kept in check throughout 5.Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
![Ran with intent, but had a limited impact 5.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmM2MDA0ZWQzLWZmZWYtNDQ0Ni05YjY4LWY1YzhiMmNhOGVlMTo3ZTA4NWI5Ny1iZDVjLTQ0YTItODkwZi1mZTAyZDIyMTJlZTc=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=600)
14. Sub: Sam Lisone (no 15)
Ran with intent, but had a limited impact 5.Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
![Made two big mistakes late in the game 4.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjcyNGY5NDdkLWI3OWUtNDM1Ni1iNDhhLWFmNWRkOTAyNzM0Mjo5ZTQ5ODNjYy1jMDA5LTRhZWMtOTljMS1lNzUxMzIzYjZmNDk=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=600)
15. Sub: Justin Sangare (no 17)
Made two big mistakes late in the game 4.Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
![Started well, did okay overall 6.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjNhMGNkMjFiLTBlNWUtNDM2YS04MmYxLWUyNDk5NTNlN2I4Mjo3YjQwMzU3OC1kY2VhLTQwNjctODBjMi1lMDMwMTk2MzU0MDY=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=600)
16. Sub: Tom Holroyd (no 18)
Started well, did okay overall 6.Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
![Scored his first Super League tries, distributed well, but conceded a costly penalty 6.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmZmOTBiNzg5LTRkNDUtNGY1Yy04ZGVlLTYwMTkyNTk4YWQxZjo1ZGZiMDU5ZS03MjIxLTRmZTctYTY5MC1mMTNmMDg2Y2UxZTE=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=600)
17. Sub: Corey Johnson (no 26)
Scored his first Super League tries, distributed well, but conceded a costly penalty 6.Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com