A sloppy Manly have succumbed 26-12 to Leeds in a heated World Club Challenge encounter at Headingley. The Super League champions scored five tries to two in front of a full house of more than 21,000 on a typically cool evening in Leeds.
The result continued Manly’s tardy pre-season form and provided new coach Geoff Toovey with plenty to think about a fortnight out from their NRL season opener.
The Sea Eagles start their campaign against the Warriors at Eden Park on March 4.
The tourists made a terrible start with co-captain Jason King dropping his side’s second touch of the ball from the kickoff.
The Sea Eagles looked tentative in attack and lacked composure against a willing if far from faultless Leeds side.
The hosts seized a deserved lead in the 19th minute when centre Kallum Watkins cut inside Steve Matai for the opening try.
Nine minutes later the home side stretched their lead out to 12 points after Ryan Hall sprinted nearly the length of the field after intercepting a Brett Stewart pass just metres from his own line.
The Manly fullback reduced the deficit to a converted try in the 32nd minute after steaming onto an inside ball from Kieran Foran.
But Hall ensured a 16-6 halftime lead for the Rhinos by slipping between Jamie Lyon and David Williams to collect a Kevin Sinfield cross-field kick for a simple try.
Rain started to fall in the second half but halfback Daly Cherry-Evans put Manly back within touching distance by sliding through the home side’s goal-line defence.
Five minutes later, Steve Matai caught a cross-field kick and crossed over only for the video referee to disallow the try because Brett Stewart shoved out a Leeds defender out of the way.
Five minutes from time, Leeds wrapped up the win with Ben Jones-Bishop finishing off in the corner before Carl Ablett finished the scoring with a try in the dying moments.
“We have travelled a long way, unfortunately our performance did not come up to our usual standards,” Toovey said.
“Very disappointed with our execution and decisions late in the tackle count but full credit to Leeds, they played better than we did.”
Leeds coach Brian McDermott praised his players for their try-line defence in the second half as Manly continually put them under pressure.
The performance of the Rhinos came despite losing the services of both Jamie Jones-Buchanan (knee) and Ryan Bailey (concussion) during the match.
“Some of the defence was as scruffy as anything,” he said.
“We had to do everything we could to keep them out, Sometimes it is like that on your own try line.
“It was brave and courageous.”
Muzz
Guest
I thought Manly played quite well actually. Considering it is pre-season and it was freezing cold and raining cats and dogs. The game was in the balance at 16-12 and could have been a different story if Stewart dummies and scores instead of throwing the intercept. Those small decisions will get better with more games. A try disallowed for a push was probably fair enough but Manly were pushed off the ball late in the game which should have been a penalty 10 metres out from the try line. Take away the obvious forward pass try, and it's a bloody close game. I can't remember Leads having too many bad calls go against them. Good effort Manly in terrible conditions. Looking good for the season if you ask me.
warren
Guest
What about the knock on by Webb at the critical time of game. Manly on the attack and only needed a try to win. Instead Leeds kept the ball and scored two late tries. Great game for the conditions and even though Manly seemed under done the defence of Leeds was excellent. Shows the game in England is improving although I believe that the overall quality of Super League is still well below the NRL. I have noted during the week that Super League TV audiences are booming over last year and despite the poor weather crowds are well up over the corresponding period. I am sure this win will add to the exposure of the game. Even Wayne Rooney has declared himself a Rhino's fan so it is good to see high profile players of other sports supporting the code in the UK. Agree with others that Rob Barrows was man of the match.
Meesta Cool
Guest
Both sets of forwards were niggling and putting extremely 'cheap shots' on each other. I was surprised that it didn't end up like last years end of Season fiasco. I hope this isn't what we can expect from Manly all this year!. Leeds didn't get sucked in and a few things went their way... No one can accuse the ref of being 'one sided, with 4 points between the teams he awarded Manly a 'string of frees'. A really good game to watch... (but still don't like the cheap shots).
Jimbo
Guest
oikee, on your comment that 'My Broncos got beat fair and square many years ago, i never made excuses.', it seemed a bit off. So I clicked on the NRL Grand Final link at the top of the page, checked out the Grand Final coverage and found this gem from you: "Warriors were robbed again. Worst result in league’s 100 year history. Next year i dont want to hear any complaints about dirty play from any teams, seems like you have to play dirty to win, the gloves are off. Bad luck Warriors, you were up against 15 on the field again." I realise it isn't the Broncos, but for you to be crowing about anyone making excuses for a loss is rich in the extreme. I also seem to recall that you all but accused Manly of rorting the salary cap...'never making excuses' indeed.
Gaz
Guest
The ref did a grat job letting the game flow. Both sides played with intensity but the lack of game fitness showed with Manly who were rusty at best but looked to be well coached. In the end the better side won on the day and that's all that matters. The perceived gap between Super League and the NRL may be closing and that can only auger well for Rugby League in general as well as international games are concerned. With the Warriors also hitting their straps it's no wonder Channel 10 is interested in lifting their ratings by televising League. Also interesting to see Clive Palmer coming out agreeing Rugby League was a much better game than Soccer although he owns a Soccer team. Maybe he intends putting his extensive financial support into "The Greatset Game of All".
Roger Rational
Guest
Excuses, excuses...
Roger Rational
Guest
SL is better mate. Simple as that. NRL teams need to up their attacking game. Meathead tactics don't cut it in England.
Wayno
Guest
My goodness and they call us whinging Pommes! I've never heard so much rubbish, it would have been the same old story if Manly had won. It's dead simple, no excuses required, the best team in Australia got beat by one of the best teams in England. It maybe difficult to swallow but at these times just a bit of humility and respect is all that's required. Most people who have played this great game will know exactly what I'm talking about, it was also interesting to see the likes of Anthony Watmough completely dominated and a sincere lack of interest as a result. Good luck to Manly, they are a champion side, Tooves will have no problems if he gets the club/fans backing. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
B.A Sports
Guest
Sports Freak you sound like a Pommie commentator. Little bit one sided in your view there. It looked to me like Manly were getting off the mark a little too quickly throughout the game. You also forgot Manly's first try came off the back of a stripping penalty which Watmough clearly dropped (seriously when will the ref's ever leanr that Watmough has hands like flippers!). End of the day the errors by Klein, who wasn't too bad, went each way. I thought Leeds deserved the win. They could have made it easier for themselves if they controlled the ball better, got a few more repeat sets or turned Manly around back to their goal line with deep kicks more often because their fitness (on this day) was always going to be superior.
yewonk
Guest
manlys luck ran out with all those cheap shots, im happy with forward pass plus manly needed to actually score again.
Andy
Guest
I do not have a problem with any of leeds tries, what i have a problem with is 25 penalties being given in one game. Did the best team win? who knows because the ref decided the game not the teams.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
How on earth do SL sides keep winning these matches? NRL not fielding full teams, match fitness vs preseason rustiness? Very strange given the international level disparity. I have little time for Manly (who does?) but really win for country!
oikee
Guest
Yeah, whatever, you get out their and run a line and try to break the line with 120 kg monsters trying to rip you a new one. They were fair try's. Leeds whipped their tail. My Broncos got beat fair and square many years ago, i never made excuses. Tooves looked like a deer in the headlights, and expext more of it this year. He is no Hasler. Manly are gone.
Fluke
Guest
And yet England cant seem to beat Australia in a single match. What is the draught now? How long since England won a game against Aus? These World Club challenge isnt fair to begin with and yet the Australians have won 3 consecutive years prior to this year. If anything this WCC should start maybe 2-3 wks after the finals not at a time like this. The Super League already started, the NRL is about 2 wks away from kicking off the 2012 season. At the end of the day Manly lost, but they should change this challenge to a different time. And why cant we have one in Australia, why do the English always get the homeground advantage lol. Like I said this WCC is a one sided affair. Everything against the visitors. Nuff said
Renegade
Guest
Yeah I agree, he was dynamite out of dummy half.
Renegade
Guest
No worries Oikee ;) Yeah maguire had a good game and i thought Burrow was excellent out of dummy half - his a little jack in the box!
Andy
Guest
Ashley Klein and that video ref were my joint winners for man of the match. Well done manly, with a lack of match practice, new coach and at leeds home ground you almost won.
oikee
Guest
Your about the only guy who picked this up Renegade. Cheers mate. Yes it was Danny Mcguire i was talking about. Keep a eye on these socalled league fans mate.
Sports Freak
Roar Pro
Just re-saw the second last try, was a forward pass. Another not picked up. Ashley Klein is a joke.
Sports Freak
Roar Pro
Sack Toovey Johnno? You've got to be joking. The reffing in that game was a joke. At least with 2 refs in the NRL that can keep 10m. leeds were offside for 60mins of the game and Peacock had a low blow kneeing a Manly player. How a Leeds player didn't go to the bin for repeated infringements I'll never though. Leeds played smarter at times with a lot of intensity. They deserved the win. But give Manly a few more games and they would tear them apart.