In a decisive 38-0 defeat against Wigan Warriors on Friday night, Leeds Rhinos coach Brad Arthur delivered a blunt and candid assessment of his team’s performance. The heavy loss not only highlighted the Rhinos’ weaknesses but also placed their playoff ambitions in jeopardy, with one final round left to determine their fate.
Wigan Warriors, who ran in seven tries, were dominant from start to finish, showcasing their physical superiority and tactical sharpness. For the Rhinos, the loss was a sobering reminder of the gap between them and the league’s top teams, leaving them in a precarious position ahead of next week’s must-win clash against Hull Kingston Rovers.
“We Were Beaten by a Way Better Side”
Arthur made no excuses for his team’s showing, admitting that Wigan outclassed them in every aspect. “We were beaten by a way better side tonight,” Arthur said. “They dominated us physically right from the start and their 1 to 17 across the field owned their jobs, and we didn’t.” The Warriors came out fast and aggressive, and Leeds struggled to match their intensity, failing to gain any significant field position throughout the game.
The Rhinos’ inability to get on the front foot was a major point of concern for Arthur. In the first half, Leeds rarely got past Wigan’s defensive line, with no offensive sets starting in the opposition half. “In the second half, we didn’t really improve much,” Arthur continued. “I think we got one set down inside their half and turned it over early in the tackle count.”
Pre-Season Work Ahead
While the defeat was hard to swallow, Arthur emphasized the need for the Rhinos to learn from the experience and refocus. “We need to make sure it’s a one-off,” he said, underscoring the importance of finishing the season on a stronger note. With their playoff hopes hanging by a thread, Arthur knows that his team must deliver a vastly improved performance next week.
“We’ve been way better than that, but it just shows you we’ve got a bit of work to do in pre-season if we want to be physical and match that every week,” Arthur noted, hinting at changes and a more focused approach in preparation for next year.
Youngsters Step Up Amid Defeat
Despite the loss, Arthur took a moment to acknowledge the efforts of young players like Alfie Edgell and Riley Lumb, who stood up well in difficult circumstances. “They did a good job,” Arthur said, praising Edgell for his resilience despite not having played at fullback for months. However, Arthur also pointed out that Wigan’s tactical kicking gave Leeds problems, an area he believes the Rhinos need to address moving forward.
A Glimmer of Hope?
Though the match ended in a comprehensive defeat, Leeds showed brief flashes of competitiveness in the first half. “We were okay physically for a period in the middle of that first half, but we just couldn’t get a penalty, a six-to-go, or another set on the back of those tackle 4s and 5s,” Arthur explained. Had Leeds found a way to score at 10-0, it might have given the team some much-needed momentum, but their failure to capitalize ultimately left them deflated.
Looking Ahead
With one crucial game remaining, the Rhinos must regroup quickly if they are to salvage their season. A victory over Hull Kingston Rovers is non-negotiable, but even that might not be enough, as Leeds will need other results to go their way to secure a playoff spot. For Arthur and his team, it’s do-or-die next week — and they’ll need to find a performance far better than the one they produced at Wigan.
Arthur’s message was clear: “We’ve got to find a way to get a better performance than that.” Leeds’ season now hinges on whether they can rise to the occasion and prove that Friday’s defeat was merely a blip on their road to redemption.
