Rohan Smith proud of Leeds comeback as he talks Tetevano red card

Leeds coach Rohan Smith praised the way his side came from 14-0 down to secure a stunning 40-18 win over Wigan at the DW Stadium.

The Rhinos trailed 14-0 after half an hour as well as being dealt a double blow to back-rowers James Bentley and Zane Tetevano.

Ireland international Bentley failed a HIA after a collision in a tackle with Wigan winger Abbas Miski, whilst Cook Islands representative Tetevano was sent off in the closing stages of the first half for a late and high hit on Harry Smith.

But like we’ve seen so many times this season, the Rhinos found a way to win and scored 34 points in the second half to claim the two points.

Speaking after the game, Smith said: “It was brave and spirited, there is a lot of belief in that dressing room even though we haven’t performed consistently within games that we would have liked but we have been in every game bar round one in there competing pretty hard.

“I never lost belief”

“First half was clumsy and then the referee made a big decision (Tetevano red card) but I never lost belief and at half-time we re-grouped, the intercept (try from Harry Newman) before half-time helped things, that was a huge play, excellent read and execution to catch that and to be able to accelerate and finish it off was a big play to get a bit more belief.

“We re-grouped at half-time. There was maybe similarities to the play-off game here last year with the way we started the second half, got the ball rolling.

“When the referee made the big call, I thought we were still in it.

“It would take a lot of effort of effort and execution and a few things to go our way but the things that did were on the back of good defence and sometimes you can get an intercept or two.”

Leeds boss Rohan Smith reacts to Zane Tetevano red card

The red card to Tetevano in the first half seemed to galvanise the Rhinos, who produced an outstanding second half performance to come away from the DW with the victory.

On the red card, Smith said: “Firstly, I don’t have too much time to spend analysing refereeing decisions because we’ve got to try and put a plan in place.

“We had already lost one edge back-rower when Bentley went off and then we lost another one, so most of the time was spent there.

“But from the replays I saw, difficult to be conclusive of the point of contact would be my first thought and not overly sure how late it was either. Everyone is looking through a different lens.”

Leeds face Wigan again next Saturday in the Challenge Cup sixth round, 2:30pm kick-off.

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