McClennan gives Webb his blessing

Leeds coach Brian McClennan claims full-back Brent Webb is joining up with New Zealand next week with the club's "best wishes".

Leeds were this week forced to release Webb to play in next weekend's Anzac Test against Australia under international rules.

As a result, the Rhinos will now be without Webb for next week's Challenge Cup fifth-round tie at Harlequins.

Webb showed what the club are likely to miss with a fine tryscoring performance in Saturday's 40-26 Super League defeat of Bradford at the Millennium Magic event in Cardiff.

McClennan said: "He will be heading down to London and goes with our best wishes. We hope it goes well for him."

Leeds trailed 10-6 at half-time in what seemed like being a tight finale to the opening day of the Super League's showpiece event in the Welsh capital.

But the Rhinos stretched ahead with four tries in a scintillating spell early in the second half and went on to win convincingly.

Young centre Kallum Watkins and new signing Eric Anselme both finished among the Rhinos' seven tryscorers. Kevin Sinfield landed six goals.

McClennan said: "In the second half we got off to a better start by passing the ball a bit more. We kicked on and we enjoyed that.

"I don't think it was a great game but there were moments that were really good, we will savour those."