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Rugby League

Rhinos could have lost by more, claims coach McClennan

08/03/2008

Coach Brian McClennan believes his Leeds Rhinos were lucky to escape with only a 38-20 hammering from newly-promoted Castleford Tigers.

The Super League champions were favourites to make it five wins out of five this season as they took on the winless Tigers at the Jungle last night.

But the Rhinos, coming off the back of their 11-4 World Club Challenge victory over NRL winners Melbourne Storm at Elland Road last weekend, leaked seven tries as the Tigers ran riot.

McClennan had rested Great Britain international Jamie Peacock for the match, and was forced to give season debuts to prop Luke Burgess, centre Ashley Gibson and utility man Jordan Tansey with Danny McGuire and Clinton Toopi both out injured.

But the Rhinos coach refused to make excuses for the performance, which appeared way below the standard of the champions' first four matches this year.

"I don't want to disrespect the way Castleford played," he said afterwards.

"They were great. They really aimed up and scored some wonderful tries.

"They were probably unlucky not to win by more. If they had kicked their goals in the first half, it would have been worse for us."

Leeds winger Scott Donald scored a hat-trick, but he said this was scant consolation following the team's shock defeat.

"We're all really disappointed with how we performed," he stated.

"It's a pretty sombre dressing room, but that's sport. We had a glorious high last week and now we're on a low.

"We'll have to dust ourselves off and get ready for Harlequins next week."