I can't see why that try was ruled out, says Leeds coach McDermott

By Martha Kelner for The Mail on Sunday

Published: 17:12 EST, 25 August 2012 | Updated: 17:12 EST, 25 August 2012

Leeds Rhinos coach Brian McDermott admitted he was baffled by the decision to disallow a try in his side’s defeat by Warrington.

Video referee Phil Bentham said there had been a knock-on after a collision between Kylie Leuluai and Brett Hodgson left the Warrington full-back out cold and Brett Delaney picked up the loose ball and ran over the line.

The Super League champions have now lost on their last six appearances in the Challenge Cup final and McDermott said: ‘I didn’t see a knock-on from anybody. I just thought the ball came out of the back of his arm.

'That said, Warrington were the better team on the day. They played well and deserved the win. We spent the majority of the first half without momentum and I thought we were in good nick to come within touching distance. We dust ourselves off, stay tight as a group, learn from it.

'We have a hell of a lot of young players in that group who have gained some valuable experience from that.’

Hodgson said he was ‘humbled’ to receive the Lance Todd Trophy for his starring role in his side’s Carnegie Challenge Cup final win.

The veteran Australian set up two critical tries and capped a fine display by kicking five goals and crossing for a late try.

Hodgson said: ‘It’s huge. I have been very fortunate through my career to play with some great players, win an NRL Grand Final and now this.

'It is very humbling to receive such an honour. It is going to be something I look back on with great admiration and I am very excited and honoured to accept it.’

Hodgson, who is 34, has recently signed a contract to remain with Wolves for the next two seasons.

Coach Tony Smith praised him and the rest of the Wolves old guard, including 34-year-old Lee Briers and captain, Adrian Morley, 35, whose introduction to the field ignited the game.

'They make me look younger,’ he joked.

'Brett was terrific,’ said Smith. ‘He copped a pounding. He is not the fastest or the strongest or the best looking, but he knows how to coach footy. He schemed well. What he lacks in pace and size he makes up for with quickness between his ears. Those tries were all planned by him, not the coach. He was out back organising the next play and the play after that.

'Adrian really lifted us when he came on, so did Lee Briers, who is an old wily fox.

'There were probably a lot of crucial points but it is about taking your opportunities when they arrive.

'In these sort of matches sometimes you only get a few and if you don’t take them it can hurt you. You have got to make them happen and I thought we did make them happen, particularly in the second half.’