Leeds Rhinos head coach Brian McDermott insists Kevin Sinfield did not cost the Rhinos victory on Thursday night, after he was uncharacteristically sent off for the first time in his career.
Ben Thaler showed the Rhinos and England skipper red after he clashed heads with Castleford full-back Luke Dorn during their 24-24 draw at Headingley, and although McDermott said it was the right call from the referee to send Sinfield off, he assured Leeds fans that their captain was hurting over the incident.
“Kevin has played hundreds of games, and he’s been noted for his discipline and leadership. In all those games he gets attacked and singled out, and he’s had to deal with that throughout his career,” McDermott said after the game.
“He’s never breached his own discipline once, but for all those occasions he’s had to endure the opposition getting at him, he’s had a brief flash in the pan incident. I don’t think Dorny is going to be walking around with bandages on all week, but at the same time it was the right call from the referee.
“There’s nobody hurting more than Kev whatsoever after that – but he didn’t cost us the game at all.”
