McDermott questions referee

Leeds coach Brian McDermott has questioned the officiating in his team’s close four-point loss to Castleford.

The Rhinos were leading into the final eight minutes when Jake Webster‘s second try won the game for the Tigers.

Leeds were given a team warning by referee James Child after just 11 minutes.

McDermott described the defeat as disappointing.

“A disappointing loss, I thought we gave the game our guts, we tried everything,” McDermott told Sky.

“I have to say – and I rarely, rarely, if ever – highlight an official, and I have to be careful with what I say, but I thought we were under scrutiny tonight… I thought we were under the microscope, the magnifying glass.

“It’s not about James Child or individuals, I just thought we were watched tonight – and we should have handled that better. Ultimately we conceded a couple of tries early in the game where really Castleford didn’t earn the right to score those tries.”

McDermott remains confident Leeds can turn their season around as more of his players return from injury.

“It will come. It will come…. but we need to be better at the things we can control,” he said.