Leeds start season with victory

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The Welsh club resembled startled rabbits caught in the headlights in the first half as Leeds ran in four tries in a 24-minute spell and threatened to run riot.

But, once their nerves settled, the Crusaders looked a workmanlike outfit and caused the champions enough problems to suggest they can defy the bookmakers' odds which make them firm favourites for the wooden spoon.

In a lively opener played in difficult conditions in front of an impressive 14,827 crowd, England captain Jamie Peacock was sin-binned 10 minutes from the end along with Crusaders forward Adam Peek after both men came to blows at a scrum.

Full-back Smith, man of the match in the Grand Final, had the distinction of scoring the first try of Super League XIV, finishing off a nice break by evergreen centre Keith Senior after nine minutes.

Despite the wintry conditions, Leeds' handling was of the highest order and young Kallum Watkins demonstrated sublime skill to draw two defenders and get winger Scott Donald over for a second try before winger Ryan Hall grabbed their third.

Smith was on hand to take debutant hooker Paul McShane's final pass to claim his second try after Hall had refused to die with the ball and Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield kicked three out of four conversions as Leeds led 22-0 at the break.

The Crusaders eventually got on the scoreboard 14 minutes into the second half when former Castleford winger Luke Dyer raced onto a perfectly-judged kick from skipper Jace van Dijk and finished decisively for the Crusaders' first-ever Super League try.

Josh Hannay added the conversion to cut the deficit to 16 points and the visitors went on to enjoy the better of the final quarter, although without ever seriously threatening the champions' superiority.

Leeds thought they had scored again when Senior crossed six minutes from the end but the try was disallowed for obstruction but the champions had the final say in injury time when loose forward Carl Ablett plunged over from close range.