Carlos Tuimavave scored the first of Hull FC's four tries at Headingley
Betfred Super League |
|---|
Leeds Rhinos (4) 4 |
Try: Handley |
Hull FC (16) 30 |
Tries: Tuimavave, Naulago 2, Bowden, Shaul Goals: Sneyd 5 |
Eight-time champions Leeds Rhinos suffered an embarrassing start to the Super League season with a grim 30-4 home defeat against Hull FC.
Leeds have been at the wrong end of the table for the last two years and began the new campaign in dismal fashion.
Carlos Tuimavave and Josh Bowden were among the scorers in the first half as Hull opened up a 16-0 lead.
Ratu Naulago touched down in each half and Jamie Shaul went over late on, with Ash Handley's reply little consolation.
Since claiming their most recent Grand Final triumph in 2017, Leeds have been through a period of transition, finishing eighth last term, ninth the year before and the early signs suggest this may well be another season of struggle.
Hull ended outside the play-offs last season but, with a team containing four debutants, they silenced Headingley by taking the lead with a slick team try on the counter-attack, finished off by Tuimavave following Naulago's rapid break.
Fijian Naulago turned from provider to scorer when he went over from Jake Connor's pass, while Bowden's score in between the sticks gave Hull a healthy lead at the interval.
Though conditions were testing in the second period with heavy rain sweeping across the stadium, Marc Sneyd added two penalties with his trusty left boot to edge his side further in front.
Naulago scored a second try in the corner, while Shaul's effort added further gloss. And, although Handley got on the scoresheet for Richard Agar's Leeds, the former Black and Whites coach's side were second best throughout.
Hull now face Friday night's early season derby at home to Hull KR, while Leeds are also in derby action next weekend, at Huddersfield on Sunday.
Leeds coach Richard Agar:
"The manner in which we let in tries in the first half was probably the most disappointing thing because it's not like us. It really rattled us. We became an erratic and disjointed team.
"We had some strong carries and a couple of opportunities to score tries in the first half but, in a game like this, you need to put them away,
"The conditions meant it was a big enough lead for them to stay calm. It's difficult to chase four tries on a night like this. Some individuals were off, too, but we learn pretty quickly.
"We certainly know we can be better and I don't want to take anything away from Hull, who were great. We were beaten by a bigger and better team but we still believe in what we are doing."
Hull boss Lee Radford told BBC Humberside:
"We got what we expected. We got what it said on the tin from all our new signings. We looked a handful with the ball, a difficult team to tackle.
"It's hard to pick out too many minuses. Physically we fronted up. And, when the heavens opened, we adapted well to the conditions.
"We play three of the most successful teams in the Super League era in the first month and our next game is against our local rivals.
"But now we can really look forward to Friday night. I love derby week. I love all build-up. Hopefully I'll love the result too."
Leeds: Walker, Handley, Hurrell, Sutcliffe, Newman, Lui, Gale, Prior, Dwyer, Oledzki, Ward, Martin, Smith.
Interchanges: Myler, Donaldson, Mellor, Cuthbertson.
Hull: Shaul, Faraimo, Tuimavave, Griffin, Naulago, Connor, Sneyd, Taylor, Johnstone, Sao, Jones, Ma'u, Ellis.
Interchanges: Satae, Lane, Bowden, Savelio.
Referee: Ben Thaler (RFL)
