Betfred Super League Round 15

AMT Headingley, Friday 21 June 2024 (8pm)

Leeds Rhinos 18-10 Leigh Leopards

There are occasions in Rugby League and in life when one is privileged to be present at something extraordinary. The events of a glorious mid-summer Friday evening in Leeds will live long on the memory and in our game’s rich history.

Leeds Rhinos’ first home fixture since the passing of Rob Burrow CBE, at the age of 41, from motor neurone disease (MND) fell on Global MND Awareness Day.

The Leeds club in conjunction with Sky produced a simply fantastic tribute to an outstanding player whose bravery, spirit and optimism in the face of adversity inspired and touched the hearts of millions of people around the world and hugely raised the awareness of a crippling and cruel disease.

Sky Sports produced an hour of compelling television viewing prior to the 8pm kick-off, led by the outstanding Brian Carney, which should be first on the list of any media awards.

Coverage focused on the life and times of the famous number 7, whose shirt number and name were etched on the Headingley pitch he graced with such distinction.

A poignant interview with Rob Burrow’s father Geoff, who shared memories of his son, and tributes from former teammates Jamie Jones- Buchanan and Barrie McDermott were relayed live on the big screen.

Opera singer John Craig Innes added to the incredible atmosphere in the build-up and Burrow’s former teammates gathered for a minute’s silence pre-match.

Fans formed an RB7 mosaic as the players entered the field and Leopards fans unfurled a magnificent flag and crowd surfed it at the west stand terrace.

“In a World full of adversity, Dare to Dream” it read. “#7, Rob Burrow, 1982/2024. In our Hearts Forever.”

Leopards players wore specially made warm up shirts highlighting MND with Burrow 7 on the back and handed yellow and flowers to the former players.

Leopards directors, officials and coaching staff wore specially designed lapels with MND yellow rose symbol. 

Two magnificent pitch flags from the Leeds club and a spectacular pyrotechnics display added to the overall occasion.

For the match Rhinos players wore a special blue and orange kit designed by Cath Muir, who was diagnosed with MND in 2014. Rhinos will donate a portion of the sale from each shirt sold to the Leeds Hospitals Charity appeal to help build the Rob Burrow Centre for MND.

A further minute’s applause was held in the seventh minute. Further video tributes were played before and after the match, with Rob Burrow’s wife Lindsey and children given a guard of honour from the field, son Jackson presented with a Leopards signed ball. Players from both sides stayed on the pitch to watch the tributes.

For once the game seemed secondary in importance to the build-up and sense of occasion generated by the 17,000 plus crowd that included another sizable following from Leigh.

Rhinos’ head coach Rohan Smith had departed during the week and his assistants Scott Grix and Chev Walker took charge.

It was fitting that Leeds’s three tries should be scored by halfbacks. The brilliant Brodie Croft drifted across the Leigh line, then cut through to stretch over in Matt Moylan’s tackle for the first.

Then Croft, first receiver after a Leopards pass went to ground, raced 80 metres for a spectacular second. Rhyse Martin added a conversion and late first half penalty for a 12-0 Rhinos lead at the break.

Frawley, wearing 7, extended Rhinos’ advantage by finishing off a high-speed handling move for the third try, converted by Martin.

Leopards had been thwarted by some dogged, determined and desperate Leeds defence late in the first half, Frankie Halton, Edwin Ipape and Aaron Pene all going close.

They finally broke through when Moylan finished off a scrum move down the left channel. When Ipape burst over for a second Moylan’s goal reduced the arrears to eight points it set up a nervy Finale for the home supporters. But this was Rhinos’ night.

Leopards head coach Adrian Lam, himself a famous number 7, said: “It was a bit of a rollercoaster. I’m pleased for Leeds. That was a special night for the club, the fans, Rob and his family and that was reflected in the way they played.

“With all respect, that’s the best they’ve played for a couple of years to be honest, and they defended really well.

“It looked like they had some help from above, so I’m pleased for them. It was a great night for the club.”

Rhinos: 

1 Lachlan Miller; 2 David Fusitu’a, 4 Paul Momirovski, 31 Ned McCormack, 29 Alfie Edgell; 6 Brodie Croft, 7 Matt Frawley; 8 Mikolai Oledzki, 14 Jarrod O’Connor, 17 Justin Sangare, 16 James McDonnell, 12 Rhyse Martin, 13 Cameron Smith (capt).

Bench:

36 Sam Eseh, 32 Ben Littlewood, 26 Corey Johnson, 18 Michael Goudemand. 18th player: 30 Tom Nicholson-Watton (not used)

Tries: Croft (10, 27), Frawley (49)

Goals: Martin 3/ 4

Leopards:

6 Matt Moylan; 24 Umyla Hanley, 3 Zak Hardaker,4 Ricky Leutele, 5 Josh Charnley; 19 Ed Chamberlain, 7 Lachlan Lam (capt); 8 Tom Amone, 15 Matt Davis, 17 Owen Trout, 11 Kai O’Donnell, 16 Frankie Halton, 13 Jack Hughes.

Bench:

14 Dan Norman, 9 Edwin Ipape, 33 Brad Dwyer, 35 Aaron Pene. 18th player: 34 Darnell McIntosh (not used)

Tries: Moylan (57), Ipape (68)

Goals: Moylan 1/ 2

Debut: Aaron Pene (HN#1564)

Scoring sequence: 6-0, 10-0, 12-0 (ht) 18-0, 18-4, 18-10

Penalty count: 5-3

Attendance: 17,535

Referee: Chris Kendall. Touch judges: R Cox & J Roberts; VR: Jack Smith; Reserve referee: A Belafonte; MC: D Milburn; TK: P Crashley

In a world full of adversity the Rugby League family came together in a powerful and emotional celebration and tribute of a truly remarkable man and family.

All photos courtesy of SWPix