McDermott: Take it easy on Sinfield

Kevin Sinfield

Leeds coach Brian McDermott admits his captain Kevin Sinfield is hurting after being sent off for the first time in his career and called for sympathy over his “momentary” lapse in discipline.

The Leeds and England captain (pictured) was shown the red card for an uncharacteristic head-butt on Castleford full-back Luke Dorn eight minutes from the end of a gripping First Utility Super League derby at Headingley.

“We had a few heated words,” Dorn told Sky Sports. “You could probably see from the look on my face I was quite shocked.”

The Rhinos were leading 24-18 at the time but their 12-man defence cracked two minutes later to allow loose forward Grant Millington to score a try that levelled up the scores.

McDermott had no complaints over the decision of referee Ben Thaler but insisted his skipper’s dismissal did not cost his side the win.

“He’s played hundreds upon hundreds of games and he’s noted for his discipline and his leadership,” McDermott said. “In all of those games Kevin has played he gets attacked and gets singled out. He’s had to deal with that throughout his career and he’s never breached his own discipline once.

“He lost it for half a second, it happens. He has moments of frustration but we’ve never ever seen that. I think we can all afford him a little momentary lapse, can’t we?”
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