It was a near sell-out crowd as the Champions and treble winners returned to Headingley for a 125 year anniversary exhibition friendly against the touring New Zealanders, the visitors warm up match before the three game test series against England.

Missing nine players from their Grand Final winning side including; Kevin Sinfield, Jamie Peacock, Rob Burrow and Brett Delaney, as well as the Rhinos contingent already in camp with the England squad ahead of next Sunday's opening test, and tomorrow's match against France in Leigh.

This was to be as much a celebration of an all-conquering season as it was a competitive match and Rhinos past-favourites Adrian Morley and Ali Lauitiiti would be in Blue & Amber for one last time.

A spine-tingling Hakka heralded the start of a titanic contest.

From the outset both sides made it clear that they were there to play open and expansive rugby. The Rhinos were keeping the ball alive and flinging it out to the wings and the Kiwis were using their bulk to push down the centre and make good ground.

On eight minutes it looked like the Rhinos had taken the lead when Leuluai went over by the left upright but referee Silverwood denied the try for a forward pass. The Rhinos were more than holding their own.

As the half wore on more handling errors started to creep in. Despite plenty of chances for both sides the game remained scoreless until the twenty-sixth minute when a Danny McGuire grubber was anticipated well by Joel Moon who grounded on the New Zealand line. Jordan Lilley added the extras for 6-0.

New Zealand found their way over the line on thirty-five when a great pass from Jason Kahu put James Nightingale over in the corner to score one-handed. Isaac Luke converted from the touchline to level the scores.

Ten seconds from the interval and the Kiwis hit the front. An excellent break from Luke made good ground before he found Jason Kahu in support to dive over for a spectacular one-handed try in the corner. Luke hit the left upright with the touchline kick but after being up against it for the first thirty it was New Zealand who took a 10-6 lead into the break.

After soaking up early second half pressure the Rhinos got back level after Jordan Lilley shook off the tacklers and found Joel Moon to twist past two New Zealand defenders and ground the ball. Lilley converted brilliantly from the touchline and against the odds the young side from Headingley were 12-10 ahead with fifty-five minutes on the clock.

On sixty-one substitute Kodi Nikorima made his presence count when New Zealand took full advantage of an Adrian Morley knock-on as he was the provider to Jessie Bromwich to crash through the Leeds defence and score under the sticks. Luke kicked an easy conversion and the Kiwis were 16-12 ahead.

As the Rhinos tired some expansive New Zealand play saw Dean Whare receive a long pass from James Nightingale to walk in to score unopposed. Luke failed to add the extras but it was now a long way back for the Rhinos.

On sixty-seven Roger Tuivasa-Sheck evaded the Leeds tacklers to step over the line and ground. Luke again failed to convert but in the space of six minutes, three tries from New Zealand had turned a two point deficit into a twelve point lead.

Leeds weren't throwing in the towel. On seventy-two Tuivasa-Sheck fumbled a kick through and when the Rhinos picked up the loose ball they moved it left for Tom Briscoe to find a gap in the defensive line and score. Lilley dropped his kick under the bar and the Rhinos were eight behind at 16-24.

Three minutes from the end and a offload from Bromwich allowed Kodi Nikorima to catch the Rhinos defenders flat-footed. Tuimoala Lolohea added the conversion. Tuivasa-Sheck added his second of the evening a minute later but Lolohea missed the conversion but his side had a convincing 34-16 win.

The biggest crowd of the season at Headingley and the largest to ever watch a Leeds game against New Zealand had a most entertaining night of rugby league. New Zealand are a class side but will feel that the underperformed against the Rhinos. Brian McDermott will be satisfied with the performance of his team of youngsters and interlopers and will go into the close season in the full knowledge that it has been one hell of a season for his Champion side.

Rhinos: Golding, Briscoe (T), Keinhorst, Moon (2T), Handley, McGuire, Lilley (2G), Leuluai, Ward R., Morley, Lauitiiti, Walters, Cuthbertson. Subs: Garbutt, Mullally, Achurch, Baldwinson, Mulhern, Singleton.

New Zealand: Tuivasa-Sheck (2T), Nightingale (T), Kahu (T), Whare (T), Kenny-Dowall, Hiku, Lolohea (G), Bromwich (T), Luke (2G), Matulino, Proctor, Harris, Taupau. Subs: Nikorima (T), Blair, Moa, Siua-Taukeiaho, Glenn, Beale, Brown.

Referee: Richard Silverwood

Attendance: 20,158