The controversial full-back Zak Hardaker shone for Leeds as they continued their dominance at the top of the Super League table with an impressive victory against a spirited Salford.
Leeds had fined Hardaker a month’s wages and ordered him to undertake voluntary work with the club after his role in an assault in the city earlier this year. But on the field Hardaker, an England international, showed why the club have stuck with him as he put in an outstanding performance to help maintain Leeds’ four-point buffer at the top .
In atrocious conditions Leeds came through driving rain and howling wind to edge out Salford. The evergreen Jamie Peacock scored two tries – only the second time he has achieved that feat during his 10-year career with Leeds – as Rhinos made it nine wins from 10 to set things up nicely for Friday’s match against the defending champions, St Helens.
“I thought we got away with a few things today and got away with a ropey performance,” said the Leeds coach, Brian McDermott. “It was crazy conditions but Zak showed some impressive leadership qualities out there today and did very well for us, amongst others.”
Much of the talk heading into the game had been of how Salford, third in the table after an impressive run, would cope without the half-back Rangi Chase. He was suspended for seven matches for a dangerous tackle on Huddersfield’s Brett Ferres, which has left the England international looking at several months on the sidelines.
The Red Devils were down to their last 17 fit players but performed with spirit, endeavour and enough class to suggest their appearance at the upper end of Super League has the potential to be more than temporary.
“A year ago Salford would have been blown away against a good Leeds team like this but we stuck with them and, if we’d looked after the ball a bit better, it could have even been a bit different,” said the Salford coach, Iestyn Harris.
The conditions made any sort of fluent rugby tough throughout but it was Leeds who nudged themselves into the lead at the break, courtesy of Peacock’s double as well as a try from Ash Handley right on the hooter. Salford had earlier led 12-6 with scores from Lama Tasi and Niall Evalds but Peacock’s second and the try for the young wing Handley gave Leeds a 16-12 lead they would never relinquish.
Leeds, who have been linked with a move for the England international Gareth Widdop to replace their rugby union-bound captain Kevin Sinfield, extended their lead five minutes after the break when Rob Burrow raced over following a break from the former Salford player Joel Moon, with Sinfield’s boot stretching Leeds’ lead to 10 points.
Salford, to their credit, dug in and they gave themselves a chance when Evalds grabbed his second try by claiming a towering kick from Michael Dobson but it was Hardaker who would have the final say.
He capped a man-of-the-match performance by dashing home from 30 metres to leave the Salford defence on the floor and confirm Leeds’ status as the team to be caught.
Salford Evalds; Jones-Bishop, Caton-Brown, Sa’u, Johnson; Fages, Dobson; Taylor, Hood, Morley, Hansen, Walton, Forster.
Interchange Lannon, D Griffin, Tasi, Gee.
Tries Tasi, Evalds 2. Goals Dobson 3.
Leeds Hardaker; Handley, Ablett, Moon, Golding; McGuire, Burrow; Singleton, Aiton, Peacock, Achurch, S Ward, Sinfield.
Interchange Delaney, Sutcliffe, Cuthbertson, Yates.
Tries Peacock 2, Handley, Burrow, Hardaker. Goals Sinfield 4.
Referee M Thomason.
