McClennan - I was worried

Last updated: 2nd February 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

McClennan - I was worried

McClennan: Worried at half-time

I thought the effort was excellent but we didn't have our brain in gear for the full 80 minutes.

Hull KR coach Justin Morgan
Quotes of the week

Related links

Teams

Also see

New Leeds coach Brian McClennan admitted his side nearly paid the price for a lethargic first-half performance against Hull KR.

The reigning champions looked set to suffer defeat on the opening night of Super League XIII when they trailed 12-4 midway through the second half at Headingley.

But the Rhinos showed their class to rally in the final 15 minutes, Lee Smith scoring two tries to put them in front before Danny McGuire's late score wrapped up the points.

McClennan - who has taken over from Tony Smith at Leeds - praised Rovers for playing their part in a cracking contest to start the new season.

Worried

"I was a bit worried at half-time," said McClennan. "We looked a bit lethargic.

"I encouraged them to stick to what we had planned, to keep positive and try to build momentum.

"As the game progressed, we started to get into a bit of rhythm. We defended pretty well as a whole.

"I thought Hull KR were very good in defence. They had good straight lines and worked very well."

Robins coach Justin Morgan felt his new-look team paid the price for poor decisions in the second half when they were in front.

New Zealand international Jake Webster, one of nine debutants for the visitors, scored a try in each half and also kicked a penalty before they faded in the final quarter.

Disappointed

"I thought the effort was excellent but we didn't have our brain in gear for the full 80 minutes," he said.

"We made some poor decisions without the ball and gave away easy field position.

"The guys are extremely disappointed because they thought they deserved to win. If we had made three or four better decisions, we most probably would have won.

"I thought defensively we were sound but it is going to take some time to click and find some cohesion."

Click Here for Your Free Bet