Leeds Rhinos all but secure Super League status in season to forget

Leeds fans can relax; Widnes are struggling in the Qualifiers; sponsorship is out of control; NRL clubs reign supremeBy Gavin Willacy for No Helmets RequiredAnd breathe, Leeds fans, breathe. Baring a calamitous collapse, the Rhinos will still be in the Super League next season. The unthinkable is not going to happen. Leeds looked slick and ruthless in their 48-32 win at London on Sunday and while they are yet to face a fellow Super League struggler in the Qualifiers, they look in the right frame of mind and physical shape to stroll through the Middle 8s to safety.The attitude of their hundreds of fans in a festival atmosphere at Ealing on a sunny Sunday afternoon said it all: they reacted with relief and pleasure as Leeds ran in a hatful of early tries down the slope, a series of doubles to burst the Broncos’ bubble. But there was no boasting, triumphalism or arrogance. They just wanted to extricate themselves from this embarrassing situation without further humiliation. If they could do it with any style and joy, all the better. As director of rugby Kevin Sinfield said afterwards: “It’s just good to see a few more smiles, people enjoying playing.” Related: Joel Moon hat-trick helps Leeds Rhinos in their struggle for survival Related: Salford’s Jackson Hastings shows no mercy to leave Widnes in despair Related: What are England's plans for hosting the next Rugby League World Cup? Continue readingread full article

Source: TheGuardian

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