Jamie Peacock should not have faced Salford, says Brian McDermott
Last Updated: 12/04/15 5:06pm
Brian McDermott revealed Jamie Peacock "probably shouldn't have played" after the veteran prop inspired Leeds to a 28-18 win at Salford.
The 37-year-old had not scored a try for almost 12 months but went over twice in the first half to help the First Utility Super League leaders to their fifth win in a row and their 20th successive victory at Salford.
It was only the second time Peacock had scored two tries for Leeds, the last coming in 2009.
Coach McDermott said: "Jamie has had a bad back and probably shouldn't have played. He lasted 70 minutes and if we had taken him off after 25 or 30 minutes he would probably have seized up."
I wasn't really happy with what we delivered other than the result.
Brian McDermott
Leeds ran in five tries at the AJ Bell Stadium, with Ash Handley’s try giving them an interval and Rob Burrow and Zak Hardaker touching down after the restart.
"I wasn't really happy with what we delivered other than the result,” said McDermott. "We got away with a few things but the conditions were crazy. The wind had a big bearing.
"We knew we would be a bit down on energy after Easter but it wasn't a terrible performance and we played a little care-free in the second half.
"Jamie Peacock and Stevie Ward were massive, as was Ash Handley, and Zak Hardaker showed a lot of leadership qualities.
"But St Helens (Friday's opponents) won't be quaking in their boots the way we played."
Depleted Devils
Salford's last home win against the Rhinos was a 21-12 Regal Trophy victory at The Willows in November 1993.
But their depleted side turned in a battling show before slipping to only their second defeat in the last eight games.
"Our effort was really good, as was the way we defended apart from conceding a disappointing try just before half-time,” said Red Devils coach Iestyn Harris.
"We were a little naive with the ball but that can be down to a lot of forced personnel changes.
"We didn't quite have the fluency of Leeds which they had in key positions but we stuck with them for 80 minutes.
"Maybe a year or so ago we would have been blown away in the second half against a very good Leeds side.
"We only had 17 players available but will have George Griffin back from Wakefield this week."
Harris also hailed the performance of Niall Evalds, who touched down in either half for his second try brace in as many games.
"Niall never lets us down and is growing his reputation,” he said. "He has the knack of being able to turn up in the right spot and that's a real asset for a full back."