How Leeds Rhinos had the final say over St Helens ... in 2004

Leeds Rhinos were Super League’s dominant force in 2004 when they finished nine points clear at the top of the table and went on to lift the trophy for the first time.

Rhinos lost just four of 34 games that season in all competitions, but two of those defeats were to St Helens.

The first was in March when Rhinos were beaten 24-14 at Knowsley Road in a Challenge Cup fifth-round tie.

The following month, Leeds suffered their second defeat of the year, ending an eight-match winning start to the league campaign, with a 56-10 thumping on the same ground.

There was some bad feeling between the clubs at the time.

Saints had been at the centre of a scandal when it emerged two of their star players, Sean Long and Martin Gleeson, had bet against their own team in a Super League game at Bradford Bulls on Easter Monday.

That afternoon, coach Ian Millward had made 11 changes to the side which drew at Wigan on Good Friday and his team, including five young debutants, were thrashed 56-8.

Millward’s opposite number, Brian Noble, memorably said afterwards: “We prepared to fight George Foreman and got George Foremby.”

Five days later, a newspaper report alleged Long and Gleeson had broken Rugby Football League bye-laws by putting money on their team to lose.

Leeds boss Tony Smith was critical of Millward’s selection for the Bulls game, which did not go down well at Saints.

When Leeds travelled back to Knowsley Road on April 30 they fell well below the high standards they were setting that season and Saints – with Nick Fozzard and Keith Mason leading the way – tore them apart.

Rhinos remained top of the table after the game, but asked about that in his post-match press conference Millward commented: “Yeah, they’re an outstanding team aren’t they?”

Later that season, 16 years ago on Thursday, Millward was to discover Leeds really were.

After their second failure against Saints, Smith said Rhinos had learned some “very good lessons” and would come back stronger.

They did. Rhinos played some outstanding rugby in 2004 and hit their peak when Saints visited Headingley for an eagerly-awaited rematch on July 23.

Without Long and Warrington-bound Gleeson, who had both been suspended by the RFL for misconduct, the new Challenge Cup holders were like rabbits in the headlights.

In their previous game, Leeds, with teenager Carl Ablett making his debut, had been held to a 36-36 draw at London Broncos, Liam Botham, on loan from Rhinos, salvaging a point for the hosts with a late touchline conversion.

Rhinos responded in spectacular style, scoring four tries in the opening 14 minutes against Saints, leading 38-0 at half-time and going on to win 70-0.

In front of a stunned crowd of 16,635, Marcus Bai crossed inside 90 seconds and Danny McGuire went over on four, seven and 13 minutes.

Bai scored again before the interval and completed his hat-trick midway through the second half.

Wayne McDonald touched down either side of half-time and Matt Diskin, Richie Mathers, Ali Lauitiiti and Keith Senior completed the stunning rout.

Kevin Sinfield had a good night with the boot, kicking 10 conversions and a penalty from 13 attempts.

It was the first time Saints had been nilled in Super League. Afterwards, Smith – in his first season at Leeds – described it as “the best performance I’ve been involved with since I’ve been here”, but insisted: “We’ve been humbled by Saints before so we’re going to be pretty humble now.”

Millward said: “It was very disappointing, probably the worst loss in my time at the club.”

2018

Leeds picked up their first win in 10 Super League games, beating Widnes Vikings 34-0 at Headingley. Richie Myler grabbed a try and three goals and other scorers were Jack Walker, Tom Briscoe, Luke Briscoe, Matt Parcell, Joel Moon and Brad Dwyer. The crowd was 10,977.

2017

Three years ago tomorrow, Rhinos failed to score for just the second time in Super League when a makeshift team lost 34-0 at Wigan Warriors. Harry Newman, Alex Sutcliffe and Harvey Whiteley all made their debut. The crowd was 15,119.

2012

Two tries from Kallum Watkins helped Leeds to a 34-16 win against Bradford Bulls in front of an 18,520 crowd at Headingley. Kevin Sinfield scored a try and four goals and Danny McGuire, Shaun Lunt and Zak Hardaker - who added a goal - also touched down.

2007

Rhinos suffered a shock home defeat by Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, their third loss in four games. Try-scorers for Leeds were Ryan Bailey, Rob Burrow and Scott Donald. Sinfield kicked two goals in front of a 16,654 crowd.

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