Melbourne's squad included 11 members of the 2007 premiership team, but were missing captain Cameron Smith who had stayed in Australia to be present for the birth of his first child.[2]
The match was played in cold and windy conditions, four rounds into the 2008 Super League competition and one week before the start of the 2008 NRL season. 33,204 spectators turned out at Elland Road, in Leeds for a hard-fought, low-scoring match in which each side scored a try apiece, with Leeds ultimately coming out winners, due largely to the goal kicking of Kevin Sinfield. The win meant the English champions side defeated their Australian counterparts for the fifth consecutive year.
First half
Kevin Sinfield opened the scoring for Leeds, converting a penalty goal from directly in front of the posts, but Melbourne would score the first try with acting captain Cooper Cronk sending Ryan Hoffman over the line in the 16th minute to take a 4–2 lead.[2][3]Steve Turner could not add the conversion in the blustery conditions.
Danny McGuire would leave the field in the half due to a shoulder injury,[3] however in his absence, Leeds would take a half time lead when Brent Webb floated a pass to Scott Donald to score a try in the corner. Sinfield's conversion from the sideline giving Leeds a 8–4 lead.[2]
Second half
Heavy rain greeted the players upon the resumption. Turner would not return for Melbourne after half time due to concussion. Clinton Toopi would then join McGuire on the sidelines through injury for Leeds, with Toopi suffering an arm injury.[3] A biting allegation against Leeds winger Lee Smith was a minor controversy midway through the second half, but despite immediately reporting the incident to the touch judge, Melbourne's Will Chambers refused to file an official complaint at full time.[2]
In a battle of attrition, defence won out as the half progressed, with Melbourne unable to find a way through the Leeds line.[4] Chambers came close to a late try in the 78th minute, but his foot found the touch line before he could ground the ball.[4] In the end Sinfield's penalty goal in the 60th minute and drop goal 12 minutes from full time, were the only points in the second half.[2]
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