Rhinos still not happy

Leeds run riot at Belle Vue, scoring 38 unanswered points in first half

Last updated: 15th February 2008

brian mcclennan 2006

McClennan: Worried about second-half penalties

It's a very big lesson for us. If we are to be an elite team, we have got to turn up each week ready to play.

Wakefield coach John Kear
Quotes of the week

Related links

Teams

Also see

Brian McClennan admitted it was a tale of two contrasting halves for his Leeds side in their 44-8 victory over Wakefield.

The Rhinos scored 38 unanswered points in the first 40 minutes at Belle Vue to quickly wrap up the two points halfway through the contest.

With such a commanding cushion at the break they unsurprisingly eased off afterwards, letting the Wildcats narrowly win the second half 8-6.

The number of penalties his team conceded was particularly concerning for McClennan, who has now won all three of his games in charge of Leeds.

Clinical

"It was a very, very pleasing first half," he said. "That's the best we've played this year. We were really clinical and put loads of pressure on.

"It was very disappointing in the second half but, on the other hand, Wakefield showed a lot of character to come back and compete like they did. It's hard to compete when the game is gone.

"We're getting too many penalties against us and that's a big concern. It could have been a real happy dressing room but it's a bit sombre."

The manner of the defeat was disappointing for the Wildcats, particularly after they had impressively beaten Bradford on home soil on the opening weekend.

Luke George and Ryan Atkins grabbed consolation scores for the hosts after they had been blown away in the opening half by the in-form Rhinos.

Big lesson

"Perhaps we fell in love with ourselves," said Wakefield coach John Kear afterwards.

"We didn't have the edge that we had prior to Bradford and we will have to look at every aspect of our preparation to see if we are doing anything wrong.

"Leeds were very good indeed. They played some real good rugby league with the ball in hand.

"It's a very big lesson for us. If we are to be an elite team, we have got to turn up each week ready to play."