Embarrassed Leeds Stay Silent With Wigan Repeat in Mind
Leeds Rhinos have refused to discuss the weaknesses exposed in their 38-10 humiliation at the hands of St Helens
Leeds have taken a collective vow of silence before Friday's Super League final eliminator against Wigan after viewing a Saturday morning video nasty to analyze their spectacular failure to take the direct route to the Grand Final at Old Trafford.
The Rhinos were humiliated 38-10 at St Helens in the qualifying semi-final on Friday night in a performance which their England scrum-half Rob Burrow admitted was an embarrassment. But their coach, Brian McClennan, yesterday refused to discuss the areas in which his team had fallen down so badly at Knowsley Road. "We have to put that one to bed now," said the New Zealander. "We have reviewed it and will keep it personal. Now we just concentrate on the big game on Friday."
McClennan was equally evasive about the fitness of the Kiwi full-back Brent Webb, confirming he had yet to train after a "bang on the knee" against St Helens but claiming he remained in contention to face Wigan.
Leeds were in the same position last season, requiring a second opportunity to reach Old Trafford after a defeat at St Helens, and responded by beating Wigan 36-6 at Headingley before gaining revenge on Saints in the Grand Final. But Wigan's coach, Brian Noble, insists his team are in much better shape than last year and may be unchanged if the Samoan center George Carmont recovers from a thigh injury.
Both Carmont and the Wigan captain, Trent Barrett, were cleared of possible disciplinary action yesterday when the Rugby Football League's video review panel decided not to call them in for fouls in the 50-26 win against the Catalans Dragons in Perpignan on Saturday. However, the Catalans prop Rémi Casty has had a high tackle on Gareth Hock referred to tonight's disciplinary hearing.
England suffered their third major injury blow before the World Cup yesterday when the Hull wing Gareth Raynor withdrew to have a toe operation. Like Bradford's Sam Burgess and Wigan's Sean O'Loughlin, Raynor would almost certainly have been in the 24-man squad.
The Rhinos were humiliated 38-10 at St Helens in the qualifying semi-final on Friday night in a performance which their England scrum-half Rob Burrow admitted was an embarrassment. But their coach, Brian McClennan, yesterday refused to discuss the areas in which his team had fallen down so badly at Knowsley Road. "We have to put that one to bed now," said the New Zealander. "We have reviewed it and will keep it personal. Now we just concentrate on the big game on Friday."
McClennan was equally evasive about the fitness of the Kiwi full-back Brent Webb, confirming he had yet to train after a "bang on the knee" against St Helens but claiming he remained in contention to face Wigan.
Leeds were in the same position last season, requiring a second opportunity to reach Old Trafford after a defeat at St Helens, and responded by beating Wigan 36-6 at Headingley before gaining revenge on Saints in the Grand Final. But Wigan's coach, Brian Noble, insists his team are in much better shape than last year and may be unchanged if the Samoan center George Carmont recovers from a thigh injury.
Both Carmont and the Wigan captain, Trent Barrett, were cleared of possible disciplinary action yesterday when the Rugby Football League's video review panel decided not to call them in for fouls in the 50-26 win against the Catalans Dragons in Perpignan on Saturday. However, the Catalans prop Rémi Casty has had a high tackle on Gareth Hock referred to tonight's disciplinary hearing.
England suffered their third major injury blow before the World Cup yesterday when the Hull wing Gareth Raynor withdrew to have a toe operation. Like Bradford's Sam Burgess and Wigan's Sean O'Loughlin, Raynor would almost certainly have been in the 24-man squad.
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