Keith Senior berates 'arrogant' referee after Leeds lose out to Melbourne

Keith Senior condemned the British referee Richard Silverwood as arrogant after admitting that his own indiscipline had been crucial in condemning Leeds to a second consecutive World Club Challenge defeat. Senior, the veteran centre who was easily the most experienced player on the field, conceded a 60th-minute penalty for dissent that allowed Melbourne's captain Cameron Smith to kick his team ahead for the first time in a tough but maddeningly scrappy contest. Smith also converted Anthony Quinn's stoppage-time try to complete his man of the match performance but Senior did not hide behind that late score in conceding the significance of his indiscretion. "It's just frustration on my behalf but I should know better," said the 33-year-old. "Referees make mistakes but it's the manner in which they do it. I've been with him [Silverwood] many times, he's got that arrogance about him. A lot of players don't like him. It's always about him not the occasion, he's always the man in the middle and centre of attention, and he got that way tonight." The Leeds coach, Brian McClennan, was more diplomatic but left no doubt that Silverwood's indulgence of the spoiling tactics for which Melbourne are renowned had been a crucial factor in the outcome. "It was frustrating everybody," he said. "But well done to Melbourne, because that's a skill and they're very skilled at it. The wrestle and the ruck was outstanding by Melbourne. Our referees aren't used to that level of technique and our boys got very frustrated." The Rhinos had two good try-scoring chances in the first 13 minutes, with their inability to take either always threatening to prove costly. On their first attack Brent Webb lost the ball over the line in a desperate Melbourne cover tackle and 12 minutes later in the opposite corner the young wing Kallum Watkins also had the ball jolted loose after being given a sniff of the line by Danny McGuire's pass. By then the score was 2-2, Kevin Sinfield having kicked a fifth-minute penalty that was quickly equalised by Smith after Jamie Jones-Buchanan was caught offside. Leeds lost Sinfield to a thigh injury midway through the half and, although Rob Burrow took over his kicking duties with aplomb to land a second penalty for a 4-2 lead, the Rhinos were always going to miss their inspirational captain. They lost their discipline, too, after a late tackle on Danny Buderus had sparked a brawl, with an error by Ryan Bailey allowing Smith to kick his second goal. The Rhinos produced the game's first try in the 48th minute but it was highly controversial. It was a spectacular 90-metre run from McGuire, who showed impressive pace to hold off Quinn, but he looked to be offside when he collected a ricochet off the knee of the Leeds centre Brett Delaney. Burrow added another good goal but Leeds wasted their good luck with a moment's sloppiness in defence, as they stood back expecting Melbourne to kick a penalty. The Storm capitalised slickly, with quick hands sending Luke MacDougall in at the right corner, and Smith converted from the touchline to bring the scores level again. Within nine minutes Senior lost his cool and Smith punished him clinically. Leeds still had their chances after that but Watkins was denied again when Slater sprinted across to push him into the corner flag - an all too rare moment of drama in a night memorable for the wrong reasons. "It's never nice to lose, especially to the Aussies," said Senior. "That's the type of person I am. I hate losing to them." He was speaking for the vast majority of the 27,697 - not for the first time on the night. Leeds Rhinos Webb; Watkins, Delaney, Senior, Hall; McGuire, Burrow; Leuluai, Diskin, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Kirke, Sinfield (capt). Interchange Buderus, Lauitiiti, Eastwood, Bailey. Try McGuire. Goals Burrow 2, Sinfield. Melbourne Storm Slater; Quinn, Nielsen, Inglis, MacDougall; Finch, Smith (capt); Tolman, Hinchcliffe, Lima, Blair, Hoffman, Lowrie. Interchange Kostjasyn, Proctor, Cahill, Bromwich. Tries MacDougall, Quinn. Goals Smith 5. Referee R Silverwood (England). Att 27,697.