Rhinos stumble past Crusaders

Leeds got the defence of their Super League title under way with a 28-6 victory over Celtic Crusaders but it will be the Welsh newcomers who get most of the plaudits.

A team that had never played together before, seven of whom had only arrived from down under on Sunday, managed to put up a competitive display against the world champions.

Admittedly the Crusaders never threatened an upset after slipping 22-0 behind after half an hour, but the signs are that they will not be the whipping boys so many feared.

The fact that they improved so much as the match went on suggests they can make a success of their first Super League season once the team begins to gel.

They could hardly not improve after making almost the worst possible start to life in Super League as they allowed Kevin Sinfield's kick-off to bounce over the dead ball line.

The Crusaders defended their line bravely for nine minutes before the waves of Leeds pressure finally told, Keith Senior's dummy and inside pass giving Jamie Jones-Buchanan the chance to send Lee Smith over for the season's first try.

The second one arrived within six minutes, a superb pass out of the back of the hand from 17-year-old Kallum Watkins sending Scott Donald streaking down the right touchline and the winger's strength took him through Tony Duggan's attempted tackle and in at the corner.

Struggling

Crusaders were struggling to get out of their own half and their cause was not helped on 20 minutes when Duggan attempted to ship the ball out wide and Ryan Hall intercepted and sprinted 40 metres to score.

The visitors finally threatened the Leeds line on 25 minutes and skipper Jace van Dijk's grubber kick forced a drop-out.

They were beginning to get a toe-hold in the game and Darren Mapp thought he had scored the Welsh side's first try in Super League on the half hour mark, only for the score to be chalked off by the video ref for obstruction.

Leeds had the final word in the half as Ryan Hall leapt to collect McGuire's high bomb in the corner and good hands put Smith in for his second try and a 22-0 interval lead.

The Crusaders survived 15 minutes of pressure at the start of the second half, then the moment arrived.

History was made when van Dijk sprinted to his right and slid a perfect kick into the corner, which Luke Dyer collected before trotting round underneath the sticks.

Best spell

The score prompted Crusaders into their best spell of the match and more pressure and another grubber from van Dijk forced a drop-out. Peter Lupton almost set up a try only for his final pass to go astray.

A break from Jones-Buchanan almost got Leeds their first try of the half but excellent scrambling defence denied England fly-half Danny McGuire.

Adam Peek and Jamie Peacock were sin-binned for the final 10 minutes after a flare-up at a scrum and Leeds' second half frustrations continued as Keith Senior was denied a try, again for an obstruction.

With 20 seconds left Karl Ablett finally gave the Headingley crowd something to cheer with a strong close-range finish by the sticks.

Kevin Sinfield levelled up the second half score at 6-6, but the Welsh side will head back to Bridgend with plenty to be positive about.