Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Betfred Super League, Stade Ernest Wallon
Toulouse (6) 24
Try: Lacans 2, Polselli, Laguerre Aim: Shorrocks 4
Leeds (30) 48
Try: Croft, Sivo 2, Newman 2, McCormack, Hankinson, Smith Aim: Connor 8
Leeds Rhinos withstood a second-half fightback from Toulouse to win the South of France and move back to the top of the Super League.
First-half tries from Brodie Croft, Micah Sivo, Fergie McCormack and Harry Newman put Leeds 30-0 up.
But Thomas Lacans’ try just before the break sparked the home side into life and his second try after the restart and scores from Luc Poseli and Mathieu Leguerre brought it back to 30-24 with 25 minutes remaining.
However, Leeds quelled Sivo’s second try comeback and then made the game safe with late scores from Chris Hankinson and Cameron Smith.
It was Leeds’ first win at the Stade Ernest Wallon and their 11th of the season, taking them behind Warrington Wolves on points difference.
Toulouse are in 12th position after their 10th loss of the season.
Leeds were too strong and too accurate in a one-sided first half as Croft headed over after just four minutes and Fijian wing Sivo added a second soon after.
Newman scored the visitors’ third try before 20-year-old McCormack headed over from close range for his first try in his third Super League appearance for Leeds.
A second try from Newman seemingly put the game out of reach at 30-0 but a break on the stroke of half-time saw Lacans reply for Toulouse.
It was the boost the hosts needed and they roared back into the game after the break with three tries in 12 minutes.
Toulouse headed Polselli into the corner in the first minute of the second half and Lacans soon added their third try.
Leeds pushed to their own line and Toulouse took full advantage to send Leguerre through from the scrum and suddenly it was a one-score game.
The Rhinos settled and Ash Handley went close before Jake Connor and McCormack Civo scored a second try.
The try destroyed the hosts’ momentum and Leeds regained full control to end the streak in the closing stages.
Mikolaj Oledzki’s break set up a try for Hankinson, before an offload from Cooper Jenkins sent Smith through three minutes in, with Connor kicking his eighth conversion of the match.
Toulouse: rouge; Laguerre, Polselli, Quai-ward, Ulberg; Lacans, Shorrocks; Roumanos, Hand, Butler, O’Kane, Jussaume, Cator.
exchange: Marion, Chan, Tollefoa, Wallace.
Leeds: McCormack; Hall, Newman, Handley, Sivo; Croft, Connor; Oledzky, O’Connor, Palacia, Hankinson, McDonnell, Watkins.
exchange: Jenkins, Levy, Smith, Castle.
Referee: Liam Moore.
