Smith backs Senior

The Rhinos were clinging to an 18-16 lead when Senior gifted possession to the opposition with a wild pass into touch, and with less than a minute left on the clock, Wigan mounted one last attack from the scrum and centre Phil Bailey finished off a flowing move with the all-important try.

"We are all in it together," said Smith. "We feel for Keith and he is probably feeling a bit bad at the moment but that's what being in a team is all about. We'll look out for him. We know that Keith has done a lot of good things for us and we're all feeling for him."

He added: "We got in a position to win the game without playing very well. I thought Wigan outplayed us. They were more energetic and deserved to win the game."

Senior had earlier scored the opening try but Wigan hit their straps to build a 16-4 lead thanks to touchdowns from Bryan Fletcher and former Leeds winger Mark Calderwood and four goals from Pat Richards.

Two tries in a five-minute spell from Rob Burrow and Gareth Ellis helped bring Leeds level and skipper Kevin Sinfield edged them back in front with a 70th-minute penalty.

Wigan were twice reduced to 12 men with the sin-binning of Great Britain forwards Stuart Fielden and Gareth Hock for technical offences but they were back up to full strength in time to launch their last-ditch bid to win the game.

"The game lasts for 80 minutes doesn't it," said Wigan coach Brian Noble. "I thought we had blown it when Thomas (Leuluai) kicked on play three but we got another opportunity and managed to find the right shape and passing movement.

"You have to be patient and persevere. It was something we had talked about before the game, that it might take until the last minute. I thought on balance we deserved it.

"With 10 minutes to go and a man down, a lot of teams would have thrown the towel in but we showed great character."