Brian McDermott hails battling Leeds Rhinos

Leeds Rhinos coach Brian McDermott has praised his side's battling character following Friday's win over St Helens in Super League.

The Rhinos bounced back from last weekend's World Club Challenge defeat to Melbourne Storm with a 20-12 victory at Langtree Park.

"I am really pleased we backed up from last week," McDermott told the Yorkshire Evening Post. "It was always in question whether we'd have the emotional energy from last week.

"We hadn't won at St Helens since 2008, so it was a big one."

The win has moved Leeds up to third place in the Super League table.