Leeds (22) 34
Tries: Leuluai, Donald, Burrow, Hall 2, Peacock Goals: Sinfield 5

Wigan (6) 10
Tries: Ainscough, Hock Goal: Richards

Kevin Sinfield was at the heart of Leeds' best moves

Leeds made it five wins out of five in Super League XIV with a crushing home victory over Wigan.

Kylie Leuluai, Scott Donald, Rob Burrow and Ryan Hall all touched down within 30 minutes, with Kevin Sinfield adding six points with the boot.

Wigan had two tries disallowed after the interval before Hall touched down for his second score on 50 minutes.

Jamie Peacock's powerful surge saw Leeds extend their lead before Gareth Hock's late consolation try for Wigan.

It was yet another comprehensive performance from a Rhinos side missing former Australia captain Danny Buderus as well as centre Keith Senior.

Although boosted by the return of New Zealand full-back Brent Webb, playing his first match in six months after injury, Leeds were forced into a late change just before kick off when hooker Matt Diskin was withdrawn because of a shoulder injury.

But rather than opting for a like-for-like replacement in Paul McShane, coach Brian McClennan chose to use Jamie Jones-Buchanan as a stop-gap replacement.

And within three minutes the home side were in front, courtesy of a beautifully weighted 40-20 kick from the left boot of Burrow.

The fifth tackle from the resulting play saw prop Leuluai hold off two defenders to touch down after a powerful five-metre burst, with Sinfield adding the extras.

And Leeds doubled their lead when a mistake from young Wigan winger Ainscough allowed opposite number Donald to touch down Danny McGuire's precise kick minutes later.

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Wigan's paper-thin defence was once again ripped to shreds when Ian Kirke's powerful surge allowed scrum-half Burrow to score under the posts on 18 minutes, with Sinfield adding the extras.

Another perfect 40-20 - this time from the right boot of Lee Smith - set up a wonderful sweeping move through the line, culminating in a brilliant basketball-style offload from Ali Lauititti for Hall to slide over for his first try of the night on the half hour.

Wigan's first genuine foray into Leeds territory resulted in six points. Thomas Leuluai's brilliant miss-pass allowed winger Ainscough to atone for his earlier mistake and touch down for four points, with Pat Richards adding the extra two.

A half-time roasting from coach Brian Noble saw Wigan begin the second half in complete contrast to the first, with Leuluai touching down in the first minute, only for video referee Phil Bentham to chalk off the try for offside.

The Warriors were denied a second touchdown seven minutes later when Gareth Hock danced through the Leeds defence, only for Bentham to adjudge Sean O'Laughlin had obstructed Burrow in the build-up to the score.

And to compound Wigan's misery further, Hall added his second score on 50 minutes when he outjumped Amos Roberts to collect Burrow's up-and-under inside Wigan's tryline.

Lacking inspiration and leadership, Wigan wilted as Leeds continued the onslaught with a series of intelligent sets and deep kicks on the fifth tackle.

And Peacock - who started on the replacements' bench - produced a typically robust burst to bundle over from close range, a try confirmed by Bentham.

Hock added a consolation score with a powerful 20m run in the final minutes, but Richards' wayward kick summed up Wigan's night.

Leeds coach Brian McClennan:
"It was a really good effort led superbly by Kevin Sinfield, who is in outstanding form at the moment.

"He's an outstanding leader and an outstanding player. He's the best captain the club has ever had and we treasure what he does for us.

"I'm really pleased with the way they applied themselves. I thought we played pretty well and our defence was very good."

Wigan coach Brian Noble:
"I thought our effort and vigour in the first 15 minutes of the second half was a whole lot better but we certainly paid the price for a poor start.

"For the first 15 minutes we didn't touch the ball and a couple of 40-20s got us. We had one set in their half and scored.

"We weren't going to get a call tonight but we didn't help ourselves. It was one of those nights when everything went against us."

Leeds : Smith, Donald, Gibson, Watkins, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Jones-Buchanan, Bailey, Ablett, Kirke, Sinfield.
Replacements : Burgess, Lauitiiti, Peacock, Webb.

Wigan : Richards, Roberts, Bailey, Carmont, Ainscough, S. Tomkins, Leuluai, Fielden, Riddell, Paleaaesina, Hock, J. Tomkins, O'Loughlin.
Replacements : Coley, Hansen, McIlorum, O'Carroll.

Referee : I Smith (Oldham)

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