Leeds boss defends crucial moment in Challenge Cup defeat

Rohan Smith has defended Harry Newman after the centre chose not to pass to the supporting Richie Myler in a crucial moment in the Challenge Cup defeat to Wigan.

The Rhinos found themselves 14-0 up in the first half, with prop forward Tom Holroyd opening the scoring inside 10 minutes, before Newman added his side’s second. Rhyse Martin converted both, while the back-rower added a penalty to extend the lead.

Wigan superstar Bevan French reduced the deficit before half-time to 14-4, before Matt Peet’s Warriors completed the comeback through Junior Nsemba and Jake Wardle to kick-start their Challenge Cup title defence.

England Knights representative Newman made a break in the latter stages of the game, finding a two-on-one opportunity with Wigan full-back French, only to be tackled by his opposition. 

Asked if the decision was a selfish one by BBC reporter Tanya Arnold, head coach Smith defended his star’s decision not to pass to the supporting Myler.

Leeds boss defends Harry Newman decision

Smith said: “He’s trying to come up with the right thing and Bevan French has taken intercepts on those sort of situations before or disrupted them in the past.

“It’s all happening very fast in that moment and you never really understand unless you’re out there, so most of us will never understand.”

Wigan had two opportunities ruled out in the first half by the official, while the hosts were held scoreless in the second 40 at Headingley Stadium. 

“There’s a lot of big moments in that game and a lot of near misses for both teams,” Smith continued on BBC.

“A bit of execution, a bit of decision making, it’s one of those games where if we scored that try at the end there, Wigan are probably feeling pretty similar to how we are now. 

“It was a good contest.”

Smith remained upbeat despite being knocked out of the Challenge Cup, with the quarter-final draw set to take place live on BBC Two following Castleford’s clash tie with Hull. 

Smith concluded: “There’s always plenty fo learn from those hard fought victories or defeats.

“It was different, but I do think that second half could have went either way after they got a good start to the second half. The battle was on.

“We’ve had a couple of really high intensity games this year, but I think that was one of the better games in general that I’ve been a part of this season.”

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