Leeds Rhinos 66 Toronto Wolfpack 12: Rampant Rhinos go top of table after thrashing Wolfpack

Rhinos scored six tries in the opening 40 minutes to lead by 30 points at the break and added five more in the final 40 – all of them converted by Rhyse Martin – to win 66-12.

It was Rhinos’ fourth straight victory and took them top of Betfred Super League. That might only last 24 hours, but it’s a fillip after the traumas of recent seasons.

If nothing else, Rhinos are probably about half way towards avoiding relegation!

It is still very early and the next three games – at Catalans Dragons and Castleford Tigers either side of a home clash with champions St Helens – will provide a more accurate measure of where Rhinos at.

But certainly, on this evidence, they look like a good team who will challenge for a place in the top-five. And they play some cracking rugby league.

Rhinos’ confidence is growing and it has been a while since they had a player with the wow-factor, which Luke Gale has.

His pass to Richie Myler for Leeds’ second try brought audible gasps of admiration from the crowd, at the time and more so when it was replayed on the big screen.

Gale has been a big factor in Rhinos’ best winning run since 2017. Skilful, he is also a tough competitor and he inspires players around him.

His half-back partner Rob Lui was also very good and there was support across the board. While Gale has provided some star quality, Leeds have been most impressive as a collective during their impressive run which has seen them score 176 points and concede only 30.

Watched by a decent Thursday night crowd of 12,143, Brad Dwyer opened the scoring for Leeds inside four minutes, from a penalty set, throwing a dummy and holding off Gadwin Springer’s attempted tackle.