Jake Connor doubled his Super League try tally for the season with two against Toulouse as Leeds Rhinos maintained their two-point cushion at the top of Super League with a 46-0 win at Headingley. The table-toppers were 10 wins from 10 on home turf this season and remained ahead of second-placed Wigan after their victory at Leigh.
How did Leeds build their first-half lead?
Connor lit up a stodgy first half by scoring the opener and teeing up Mikolaj Oledzki before his interception laid the foundations for Tom Holroyd's score shortly before half-time. Leeds had already gone close through Ned McCormack, whose sixth-minute effort was denied in a stop-start opening when video referee Liam Rush spotted Chris Hankinson's knock-on.
The Rhinos took the lead after 12 minutes when Connor dummied and cut back inside to score following Riley Lumb's break. Super League's leading points scorer this season was involved again as he set up Oledzki to power over from close range, and Leeds then pulled further clear when Presley Cassell's fine offload gave Holroyd a simple finish under the posts.
Why could Toulouse not respond?
Toulouse had scored 106 points in their past two away trips, including a 46-0 whitewash of St Helens, but they were unable to register here and remain ninth after a 14th defeat of the campaign. Without injured playmaker Olly Ashall-Bott and fielding six academy graduates, they could not capitalise on good positions.
Tiaki Chan's surge was halted five metres short after Luke Polselli's brilliant one-handed offload, and Toulouse continued to be frustrated by Leeds' defence and pressure. Their best periods still came to nothing as the hosts kept control of the contest.
How did Leeds finish the match so strongly?
The hosts began the second half with more intent and, within minutes, quick ball through the hands saw Brodie Croft send in James McDonnell for his fifth try in three games. Holroyd was then held up over the line, while last-ditch defence denied Jarrod O'Connor and Lumb as Toulouse, to their credit, continued to fight.
But the pressure eventually told when Harry Newman, playing just his third game on the wing in place of the injured Maika Sivo, went in at the right corner. Connor, the 2025 Man of Steel, then leapt high to grab Lachlan Miller's pinpoint kick under the posts and register his second score.
With the game long since won, Leeds rang the changes but still pressed for more. Croft sniped through a gap for his 24th Super League try of the season, and Lumb finished in the left corner before Connor's touchline conversion typified a clinical all-round display from the leaders.
Connor finished with seven goals from eight attempts to total 22 points in the match. Leeds' points total came from tries by Connor 2, Oledzki, Holroyd, McDonnell, Newman, Croft and Lumb, with Connor adding 7 goals.
What were the teams?
Leeds: Miller; Lumb, McCormack, Bird, Newman; Croft, Connor; Oledzki, O'Connor, Jenkins, Hankinson, McDonnell, Watkins.
Interchanges: Smith, Lloyd, Cassell, Holroyd.
Toulouse: Polselli; Laguerre, Tropis, Quai-Ward, Ulberg; Collin, Rouge; Butler, Marion, Belmas, O'Kane, Jassaume, Cator.
Interchanges: Garrigues, Chan, Toleafoa, Wallace.
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Key Facts
- Leeds Rhinos beat Toulouse 46-0 at Headingley.
- Jake Connor scored twice and kicked seven goals from eight attempts for 22 points.
- Leeds stayed two points clear at the top of Super League.
- The Rhinos have won 10 of 10 home games this season.
- Toulouse remain ninth after a 14th defeat of the campaign.
