McGuire inspires Leeds win

Try: Keith Senior touches down for Rhinos at Headingley

Danny McGuire's first appearance in seven months was the catalyst Leeds Rhinos needed as he inspired a 34-16 win over Crusaders on Easter Monday.

The stand-off was introduced in the 24th minute and sparked the game into life in his first appearance since suffering a knee injury at the end of last season.

The deadlock was broken three minutes later through Brett Delaney before tries from Carl Ablett and Keith Senior put the hosts in control. Kevin Sinfield converted all three.

Leeds were well on their way to victory by the break and Rob Burrow ensured they picked up where they left off after the restart.

Crusaders never let their heads drop, though, and three tries from Jordan Tansey, Michael Witt and Rhys Hanbury put the Rhinos under pressure.

However, Senior's second of the afternoon and a further score from Kylie Leuluai prevented the hosts from a complete crumble, denying the Welsh a famous comeback.

Changes

Ryan Bailey, back from suspension, replaced Luke Burgess for Leeds while George Elliott made his Rhinos debut, coming in for the injured Kallum Watkins

Crusaders coach Iestyn Harris, a former Leeds captain, opted for Gareth Thomas and Paul Johnson to come in for the injured Vince Mellars and Jason Chan, who dropped to the bench.

On the field, Brent Webb and Richard Moore came to blows in an otherwise lifeless opening as neither side could find a way through the other's defence.

Jarrod Sammut went close to touching down under the posts but he was hauled back before grounding the ball.

McGuire's introduction in the 24th minute was greeted with a rapturous response from the crowd and it appeared to galvanise the Rhinos as two tries in three minutes followed.

The deadlock was broken in the 27th minute when Delaney embarked on a 70-metre sprint to touch down after outstripping Crusaders captain Clinton Schifcofske.

Sinfield added the first of five conversions before Webb's bullet pass allowed Ablett to exploit a hole in Crusaders' defence to cross the whitewash with ease.

On the stroke of half-time, Senior ensured Leeds had a comfortable lead when he jinked his way over the line after a smart passing move along the left.

Second half

The hosts were threatening an onslaught before the break, as Burrow sneaked over minutes after the interval, with Sinfield adding the conversion once more.

Despite being 24-0 down, the visitors were handed a lifeline when former Leeds winger Tansey went over after latching on to Witt's offload in the 53rd minute.

And the deficit was reduced even further in the 66th minute when a Danny Buderus pass was intercepted by Witt, who sprinted the length of the field to touchdown.

Schifcofske added the first of two conversions and Hanbury took advantage of another wayward pass, with Sinfield the culprit this time, sprinting one half of the pitch to cross the whitewash.

Leeds were more than rattled but Senior eased the home crowd's nerves after bundling his way over in the left corner to claw back some of their breathing space.

Sinfield missed for the first time with the conversion but he made no mistake when Kylie Leuluai added the gloss to the Rhinos win on the hooter.