Flashback - 2010: When Smith's late heroics sends Leeds Rhinos into Challenge Cup semi-finals
The tie at Headingley, on May 29, 2010, seemed set to be decided on penalty kicks until Smith struck in the final seconds to snatch a 12-10 triumph for the hosts.
The game coincided with the opening day of a Roses match on the cricket side of the stadium, but no play was possible due to heavy rain and players from Yorkshire and Lancashire were in the North Stand to watch an exciting, if error-ridden, match-up.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdWigan took a 6-0 lead in the first half through three penalty goals from Pat Richards.
Kevin Sinfield missed with two early penalties for Leeds, hitting the metalwork both times, but found his range to land two goals in the final minutes of the half, making it 6-4 at the break.
Richards missed with a kick at the start of the second period, then Sinfield levelled the scores with another penalty after Liam Farrell had been sin-binned for a foul on Danny McGuire.
Sinfield had an opportunity to edge Leeds ahead, but his kick missed the mark. The game continued in a similar vein as a Richards penalty was cancelled out by the Leeds captain before the Wigan man’s fifth goal seemed to have sent them through.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdBut prop Jamie Peacock’s determination and a classy finish from full-back Smith snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.
Peacock made a shock return for Rhinos, just two weeks after suffering knee ligament damage that was expected to keep him out of action for two months.
He harried Wigan into turning the ball over inside their own half and then Leeds had the feed at a scrum 20 metres out after Danny McGuire’s pass was touched by Amos Roberts.
That gave Rhinos one final attacking chance, with 70 seconds remaining. Smith, who had recently rejoined Leeds following a spell in rugby union, took Sinfield’s pass, twisted out of Martin Gleeson’s tackle and held off Richards to touch down and send Rhinos into the semi-finals.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdMATCH STATS: Challenge Cup quarter-final, May 29, 2010 - Leeds Rhinos 12 (Try: Smith. Goals: Sinfield 4) Wigan Warriors 10 (Goals: Richards 5)
Leeds Rhinos: Smith, Donald, Delaney, Senior, Hall, Sinfield, McGuire, Leuluai, Buderus, Bailey, Kirke, Ablett, Jones-Buchanan. Substitutes: Diskin, Eastwood, Peacock, Clarkson.
Wigan Warriors: Richards, Roberts, Gleeson, Carmont, Pryce, S Tomkins, Leuluai, Fielden, Riddell, Coley, J Tomkins, Bailey, O’Loughlin. Substitutes: Prescott, McIlorum, Farrell, Tuson.
Referee: Phil Bentham. Attendance: 9,242.