Leeds Rhinos returned to the top of Super League after this victory against Hull FC but it was a win that could come at a cost before the Challenge Cup rematch between the sides on Friday.
The victory ensured the Rhinos leapfrogged St Helens and moved back top but the half-backs Danny McGuire and Liam Sutcliffe are now major doubts for the quarter-final after picking up injuries.
Initial fears are that McGuire, Leeds’ standout performer this year, could have broken his ankle, which would inevitably rule him out of more than just the trip to Hull. In the context of Leeds’ season in general this was a priceless two points but they may face a lengthy period without one of their most talismanic figures.
The Rhinos lost another key man, the forward Adam Cuthbertson, to a suspected torn calf, further compounding their woes as they prepare to move a step closer towards successfully defending the Challenge Cup they won at Wembley last year.
But the Leeds coach, Brian McDermott, focused on McGuire, who was injured after a tackle from Hull’s Marc Sneyd – with the subsequent retaliation from McGuire sparking a bizarre scene where he was helped from the field while being sent to the sin-bin.
“McGuire and Sutcliffe are very doubtful for Friday,” said McDermott. “McGuire could have broken his ankle; it’s a bad one. The guy has had his ankle twisted in the tackle and in desperation to not have it broken, he kicks out and gets sin-binned for it. It worries me that the game has just got that all wrong.”
As for Hull, they can prepare for the rematch on Friday with the genuine belief they can end Leeds’ reign as Challenge Cup holders. They remain in the top eight despite the defeat but, with the result not confirmed until Carl Ablett’s try on the final hooter, they showed enough to suggest they will cause Leeds more problems when they meet again.
“Our effort and commitment for each other was never in question,” said their coach, Lee Radford. “It’s been our skill and execution that is not giving us chances to win games. Mentally, we’ve just got to be better at stuff like that, and be more clinical.”
To their credit, Hull could have folded when trailing 16-6 at the break through tries by McGuire, Joel Moon and Jimmy Keinhorst to one for Hull by Jordan Thompson. But, when Curtis Naughton crossed for the visitors three minutes after the restart, it kicked off a tit-for-tat half of action.
Leeds responded when Keinhorst laid on a second score for Moon before Hull’s Danny Houghton scampered away to reduce the gap to six points and set up an enthralling final quarter.
But then came the game’s major talking point: McGuire pounced on a loose kick from Jordan Abdull but was hauled down by Sneyd. He conceded a penalty for the tackle, before McGuire kicked out in retaliation, with both men shown yellow cards by the referee, Robert Hicks.
After the resulting mêlée Kevin Sinfield kicked two penalty goals to nudge Leeds closer to victory before Hull again gave themselves a chance when Fetuli Talanoa grabbed a late try.
However, it proved to be nothing more than consolation, as Ablett put the seal on the win with another Leeds score. But given the grim injury prognosis from McDermott on McGuire after the game, this could turn out to be a pivotal afternoon in Leeds’ season in more ways than one.
Leeds Hardaker; Handley, Moon, Watkins, Hall; Sutcliffe, McGuire; Singleton, Aiton, Leuluai, Keinhorst, Ward, Ablett. Interchange Sinfield, Walters, Cuthbertson, Peacock
Tries McGuire, Moon 2, Keinhorst, Ablett Goals Sutcliffe, Sinfield 5
Hull FC Shaul; Naughton, Sa, Talanoa, Michaels; Pryce, Sneyd; Watts, Houghton, Paea, Ellis, Minichiello, Thompson. Interchange Paleaaesina, Abdull, Whiting, Green
Tries Thompson, Naughton, Houghton, Talanoa Goals Sneyd 2
Referee R Hicks
Attendance 16,203
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