Rhinos brush aside Dragons

Super League champions Leeds maintained their 100 per cent start to the new season with a comfortable 34-6 win over Catalans Dragons.

The visitors claimed a shock lead but seven unanswered Rhinos tries from Scott Donald (2), Keith Senior (2), Ian Kirke, Danny McGuire and Ali Lauitiiti secured the two points.

A third successive victory will delight coach Brian McClennan ahead of the upcoming World Club Challenge against Melbourne Storm.

For the first time the New Zealander named the side which beat St Helens 33-6 in last season's Grand Final and which now looks likely to start at Elland Road next Friday.

Shock lead

Despite a lively start by the in-form Rhinos it was the visiting Dragons who opened the scoring at Headingley Carnegie.

John Wilson made the break 40 metres out and he fed Demitri Pelo, who went in at the corner with Tomas Bosc superbly converting from the touchline.

However, the champions hit back with two quick-fire tries of their own to go two points clear.

Senior fed Donald to score the home side's first before the centre himself crashed over, Kevin Sinfield missing both conversions.

Les Catalans hit back and exerted pressure of their own, although two swift penalties undermined their efforts with Ian Kirke extending Leeds' lead with a tremendous second effort, this time Sinfield added the extras.

The visitors went in at the break a man down after former Wigan Warriors man Jerome Guisset was sin-binned for a succession of penalties.

Numerical advantage

Leeds made the most of their numerical advantage with Ryan Bailey ripping the ball away in a one-on-one tackle before setting up Donald for his second of the night.

A scoring drought claimed the next 20 minutes of play as McClennan juggled with hisside with perhaps one eye on Melbourne in seven days time.

Danny McGuire scooted over after a neat break by full-back Brent Webb to break the scoreless run, Rob Burrow converting with captain Sinfield off the field.

Senior confirmed Leeds' superiority late on when he touched down for his second of the game. Sinfield added the extras, though he had a rare off night with the boot in windy conditions.

There was still time for McClennan's side to boost confidence even further late on when Lauitiiti scored in the closing stages to wrap up a fine night's work for the Rhinos.