Leeds Rhinos failed to retain the world crown as they went down to Manly Sea Eagles on Sunday at Elland Road. The Eagles ran into a 4-12 lead at the break thanks to scores by Stewart and Watmough, helped in part by sin binning of Jamie Peacock. Sea Eagles then appeared to make the game safe as they scored three tries in the space of six minutes at the start of the second period taking their lead to 4-26. Rhinos did come back with scores of their own to make a game of it but it was to little to late and full time arrived with the score at:
Leeds 20-28 Manly
Scorers
Leeds
Tries: Jones-Buchanan, Senior, Hall, McGuire Goals: Sinfield 2
Manly
Tries: B Stewart 2, Watmough 2, Matai Goals: Orford 4
Teams
Leeds: Smith, Donald, Ablett, Senior, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Diskin, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Kirke, Sinfield.
Replacements: Lauitiiti, Bailey, Burgess, Watkins.
Manly: B. Stewart, Robertson, Lyon, Matai, D. Williams, Bailey, Orford, King, Ballin, Perry, Watmough, Hall, G. Stewart.
Replacements: L’Estrange, Cuthbertson, Rose, Rodney.
Referee: Jason Robinson (Australia)
