Warrington Wolves may still sit second in Super League but the body language of their coach at full time could not have been more telling about the problems which are starting to engulf his side.
For more than 20 minutes after this latest defeat, the Wolves’ fifth in six games and perhaps their worst of the season yet, Daryl Powell sat in his box above the main stand unmoved. Maybe he was trying to take in the enormity of what his side had just delivered. Perhaps he was holding court with his coaching staff about how to turn a situation that is wildly slipping out of control around. But whatever the reason, Powell looked crestfallen.
It is only a matter of months since his Warrington side started the season with eight consecutive victories. They were setting the pace at the top of Super League and looked good doing so but now, they could finish the weekend as low as fifth. From being in a position of dominance at the summit, Warrington are now slowly being dragged into a battle for their place in the playoffs come the end of the season.
“We’ve got work to do,” was Powell’s succinct but damning verdict on his side here, and he was not wrong. He watched his side labour without success all night, with the one try they scored through Matty Ashton in the final quarter mere consolation. By then, they trailed 16-0 after an opening quarter in which Leeds brutally exposed Warrington’s frailties and how important the Wolves’ star half-back, the England captain George Williams, is.
The Rhinos have now won back-to-back games and are just two points off the playoffs, and they sprung into life early on here. Sam Walters’ try after five minutes broke the deadlock, before two tries from Ash Handley after superb work from Blake Austin and Richie Myler in the buildup for both. Those tries put the Rhinos into a 16-point lead that, given Warrington’s lack of attacking guile, always felt decisive – with some spirited defence from Leeds all night contributing to a fine win, too.
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“I really loved how we defended, particularly in the first half,” their coach, Rohan Smith, said. “We maybe over-chased in the second half and made it hard for ourselves, but we scrambled really well.” But as delighted as Smith was, Powell was understandably downbeat. “I know people talk about week to week and you don’t want to lose games, but it’s a long season,” he said. “But being in the top six is crucial and we need to improve to be in there.”
On this form, their place in the playoffs looks debatable. Ashton’s try made it 16-6 in the final quarter but within six minutes, Leeds had scored the try that put the game to bed through a wonderful team effort finished by Myler. At that moment, the home supporters began to head for the exits and those who toughed it out until the end made their feelings known. The Wolves may be second and Leeds eighth but on this showing, they are heading in opposite directions right now.