Super League: Leeds Rhinos 46-0 Castleford Tigers - Hosts put big losses behind them with win

David Fustitu'a scored a hat-trick for Leeds Rhinos on his 150th career appearance

Leeds Rhinos atoned for two successive thumpings as they ended their season with a big Super League win over Castleford Tigers.

Luke Hooley got the Rhinos off the mark before David Fusitu'a and Derrell Olpherts padded out their advantage.

Jack Sinfield crossed to give Leeds a 22-0 half-time lead and Fusitu'a picked up where they left off on the restart.

Fusitu'a completed his hat-trick while Sam Lisone and Sam Walters added to the rout to round out the victory.

Both sides have had seasons to forget, with Leeds missing out on a play-off spot despite Rohan Smith leading them to the Super League Grand Final within the first five months of his tenure last year.

Castleford, meanwhile, came narrowly close to relegation this term having hovered around the foot of the table and tussling with Wakefield for bottom spot.

Leeds named a young side, with Alfie Edgell and Tom Nicholson-Watton making their debuts off the bench while Walters started in his final appearance for the club.

Coming into the game off the back of a 61-0 drubbing by Catalans, which itself came after a 50-0 humbling by Wigan, Leeds sought to put their recent woes behind them as they dominated the first half.

The hosts prospered from a well-timed run from Hooley to motor through a gap in the Castleford defence for their first try, while Fusitu'a worked onto Harry Newman's offload to add to their tally.

Olpherts got on the scoresheet before the break as he touched down in the corner and Sinfield intercepted and raced in just before the hooter.

Fusitu'a, on his 150th career appearance for Leeds, collected a kick to the corner to score his second try of the night but tempers flared as Liam Watts and Lisone were both sent to the bin after a coming together.

Lisone then scored Leeds' seventh try after his return to the field as he latched onto a Sinfield pass while Walters slid in to mark his final appearance in style.

Leeds Rhinos boss Rohan Smith:

"It was emphatic - there was a real drive and determination from the first whistle.

"It shows the spirit, most from the young blokes who have been bashed from pillar to post.

"We ended the season as well as we could have - it couldn't have gone any better.

"We showed a lot of spirit and ability to get off the floor, so we will be better for it.

"I respect the fans and I expect they were disappointed in the overall season - but we will be fighting back in pre-season, for sure."

Castleford Tigers interim coach Danny Ward:

"It was very disappointing to go out the way we did - without any fight or urgency.

"We got outplayed from start to finish. We built it up and wanted to end the season on a high.

"I know it's been a tough year for everyone involved, but that was a tough one tonight.

"We should be able to compete whether we are fighting for survival or not."

[On whether he will take charge of Castleford next season] "We've had conversations with the club this week and I've made no secret that I would like to stay."

Leeds: Hooley; Fusitu'a, Newman, Handley, Olpherts; Martin, Sinfield; Oledzki, O'Connor, Walters, Gannon, McDonnell, Donaldson.

Interchanges: Edgell, Lisone, Nicholson-Watton, Johnson.

Castleford: Rooney; Qareqare, Broadbent, Turner, Eden; Austin, Miller; Matagi, Horne, Massey, Edwards, Mellor, Lawler.

Interchanges: Mustapha, Martin, Hall, Watts.

Referee: James Vella.

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