Leeds Rhinos play-off hunt hit a real bump in the road as injuries and suspensions along with the insane heat conspired against them resulting in defeat to Toulouse enabling them to lift themselves off the bottom of the table.
In general most fans expected it to be a rough night but when Leeds revealed that they’d be wearing the pink shirt – which Leeds had yet to lose in tending to batter teams when wearing it – some fans suddenly had hope.
https://t.co/9BsDWq6jBo pic.twitter.com/jT4jhalvj7
— The Lot Pod ξ¨ (@Lot_17a) July 16, 2022
However, defeat was met with the realisation that the magic of the pink shirt may have faded away.
RIP Pink Shirt luck π’
Still bloody love you xxx
— LoinersView (@loinersview) July 16, 2022
Shall we have a memorial service for the pink shirts luck tonight?
— LoinersView (@loinersview) July 17, 2022
Turning to the performance, some fans were positive praising the young men who led the way.
Honestly canβt believe the moaning by some fans, massively down on numbers and players pulling out on day this was to be expected
— chris balmforth (@rhinocjb) July 16, 2022
Was always going to be a tough game with the Injurys, Need to forget plays offs this year and concentrate on been a consistent week in week out team as we just cannot string a run of wins together. Hope the injured lads all okπππ¦
— GRACE Scaffolding (YORKSHIRE) Limited (@gracescaffyorks) July 16, 2022
However, some fans felt that injuries were no excuse.
Injuries isnβt an excuse, we should still be beating them!
— Josh Jackson (@joshjacksonlrfc) July 16, 2022
The defeat did provoke some backlash from rival fans as they sought to take the mick as Leeds became the fourth club to lose to Super League’s newest side this season.
Where your great white tonight? Your win meant NOTHING – enjoy @catalanmedia I hear itβs lovely. π
— Lewis Hobson (@LJ_YH2) July 16, 2022
A Huddersfield fan trying to troll
Bless https://t.co/ob3xzemi3K
— LoinersView (@loinersview) July 16, 2022
There was some controversy with some believing that Toulouse’ second try came courtesy of two forward passes.
2 forward passes π
Great to see https://t.co/u4vSswjRC0
— LoinersView (@loinersview) July 16, 2022
However, the fact that we were able to watch the tries during the game led some to question why they couldn’t show the game live on OurLeague.
Get pics of tries but canβt put Toulouse games on Our League ππ€¦π»ββοΈ https://t.co/py1URHMkCJ
— LR-RLFC Fans π ππ πΊπ¦ (@RhinosFaithful) July 16, 2022
Making the defeat worse, there was a disappointing ankle injury to young Max Simpson.
Doesnβt sound good for Max Simpson π
— LR-RLFC Fans π ππ πΊπ¦ (@RhinosFaithful) July 16, 2022
He wasn’t the only casualty either with Corey Johnson also coming off.
Corey Johnson also injured and playing with 12 men after all subs being used π’
— LR-RLFC Fans π ππ πΊπ¦ (@RhinosFaithful) July 16, 2022
Leeds are in desperate need of bodies and especially middles. This led some fans to lament the fact that the Rhinos couldn’t bring Justin Sangare in early who is expected to sign for the club next year.
Can we please sign Sangare at half time? @leedsrhinos
— The Lot Pod ξ¨ (@Lot_17a) July 16, 2022