Leeds Rhinos put last week’s shock defeat at Castleford firmly behind them as they returned to their World-winning form against a shell-shocked Harlequins.

The Rhinos came charging out of the blocks, and their early domination saw them run in eight tries against the side that had whitewashed Huddersfield last week.

Leeds entered tonight’s match without seven first team players, included the injured Danny McGuire and the suspended Matt Diskin. That meant Brian McClennan was forced to hand debuts to hooker Ben Kaye and Simon Worrell, whilst Gareth Ellis moved to centre, with Ryan Hall replacing Lee Smith on the wing.

For Harlequins they made four changes from last week’s comprehensive victory against Huddersfield, Rinaldi replacing the injured Henry Paul. Clubb swaps with Gafa in the centre, whilst Worrincy and Grayshon both make the bench.

After 7 minutes a knock on by Tony Clubb gave Rhinos the perfect opportunity to open the scoring. On the last, a perfect flat pass from the debutant hooker Ben Kaye found Jamie-Jones Buchanan, and he weaved through the defence to score under the posts, with Sinfield adding the conversion.

And Leeds continued to look bright as they spread the ball through the hands. Their enterprise was soon rewarded when prop forward Ryan Bailey released a wonderful and seemingly-impossible off-load to find Jamie Peacock, who ran round David Howell out wide. That was his sixth try for the club, three of which have been against the Quins. Sinfield converted from the touchline to make the score 12-0.

Harlequins were finding possession and field position hard to come by, and although McLinden look bright they wasted a good opportunity with a bad ball under pressure from Danny Orr near Leeds‘ try-line.

Jordan Tansey came on to replace young Kaye after half an hour, and he was straight into the action. Once again the ball went through the backs hands, and this time Senior off-loaded just before the halfway line, and Donald found space to run. After a 30-yard sprint the winger unselfishly passed to the supporting Tansey, who almost walked the ball under the posts, leaving Sinfield the easy conversion. 18-0.

Harlequins squandered another good opportunity before half-time, with Burrow making a last ditch tackle to stop Clubb crossing the try-line. That allowed Leeds to made another deep attack. Ellis in the right centre drew his man to release Hall, but he didn’t have the pace to beat Worrincy. From the resulting play the ball Burgess picked up a bouncing ball and broke through the line, drawing in full-back McLinden before passing to the supporting Webb. Sinfield again converted 24-0.

From the kick-off Senior broke through the line and made a 50-yard dash, but he chose the wrong option to try and beat McLinden out wide when a supporting Burrow was running through on his right-hand side. Senior’s attempted off-load only found the hands of a thankful Rikki Sheriffe.

In the second half Leeds were soon through again, and by now Harlequins were looking ragged. Danny Orr could only half-tackle Nick Scruton after his quick break, and the replacement used his knees to cross the line. 30-0.

It was soon becoming a matter of how many for the Rhinos as Harlequins were continually guilty of not holding the ball in the tackle, which allowed Leeds to off-load constantly. Leeds squandered countless good opportunities down the Quins’ left-hand side. Finally man-of-the-match Lauitiiti managed to find Scott Donald, who once again was unselfish, passing to Rob Burrow. Burrow crossed the line, scoring his 100th try for Leeds. Sinfield continued his flawless kicking to make the score 36-0.

Harlequins tried to get a consolation, and they finally managed to muscles themselves over the line on 65 minutes, but Jon Grayshon knocked-on after Ellis’ tackle.

After a strong run by Ryan Bailey resulted in a penalty, Leeds used the platform to add yet another score. This time it was 20-year-old Luke Burgess who bustled over the line on his home debut, and once again Sinfield added to extras to make the score 42-0.

It was another debutant who got the final try, Ben Kaye showing initiative and strength at the play the ball to cross for his first try for the club. Sinfield once again added the extras, kicking all eight conversions to make the score 48-0 at full time.

Leeds Rhinos: Webb, Hall, Ellis, Senior, Donald, Sinfield, Burrow, Leuluai, Kaye, Bailey, Peacock, Lauitiiti, Buchanan
Subs: Tansey, Scruton, Burgess, Worrall.

Harlequins: McLinden, Wells, Clubb, Howell, Sheriffe, Orr, Rinaldi, Temata, Randall, Ward, Barker, Purdham, Mbu.
Subs: Heckenburg, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Grayshon, Worrincy.

Referee: Ben Thaler

Man of the Match: Ali Lauitiiti

Att: 14,557