Brodie Croft described how the spirit of Rob Burrow helped sweep Leeds to a stirring 18-10 Betfred Super League win over Leigh on a night when Headingley paid a fitting tribute to their talismanic former scrum-half.

Croft summoned two solo tries of which Burrow – who died earlier this month following a four-and-a-half-year battle with motor neurone disease – would have been proud before the Rhinos held on after late responses from Matt Moylan and Edwin Ipape.

The Australian, who blazed 80 metres for his second on the half-hour, said: ‘It honestly felt like an out-of-body experience. I’ve never even scored a try from that far out, and it felt like there was someone else with me on it.’

Croft struggled to contain his emotions as he described how Burrow’s legacy inspired an injury-ravaged team that parted company with head coach Rohan Smith after last week’s loss at Hull FC to summon arguably their best performance of the season.

Brodie Croft, pictured, was clearly emotional after he scored two tries during the Leeds Rhinos victory over Leigh last night in the first game for the Yorkshire club since Rob Burrow’s death

Croft struggled to contain his emotions as he described how Burrow’s legacy inspired an injury-ravaged team that parted company with head coach Rohan Smith after last week’s loss at Hull FC to summon arguably their best performance of the season

Croft said: ‘I followed Super League as a kid, Leeds were the big team and Rob was one of the key players. There is a lot of connection there, on top of being a dad myself, and seeing his family there, I knew this was going to be a big occasion and we just wanted to do our absolute best’

‘This was a big one not just for the club, but Rob and his family and the MND community, and I think the boys showed that tonight, particularly some of our younger boys,’ added Croft.

‘I followed Super League as a kid, Leeds were the big team and Rob was one of the key players. There is a lot of connection there, on top of being a dad myself, and seeing his family there, I knew this was going to be a big occasion and we just wanted to do our absolute best.’

Over 80 former players gathered to pay tribute to Burrow before the match and they included his former team-mate Chev Walker, who stepped up to joint interim charge of the Rhinos in the wake of Smith’s departure.

Walker described a performance ‘in the spirit of Rob’, adding: ‘We spoke about it a couple of times since Rob passed, about being brave and courageous and standing up for our team-mates. That’s all we asked and they delivered 100 per cent on that.

‘It’s been emotional for everybody. He’s touched so many people all the way through this fight and the spirit of him was just there tonight.

Rob Burrow’s wife Lindsey, pictured, took to the field last night where the former fly half was honoured by more than 21,000 fans packed into Headingley for the first time since his death. She carried her son Jackson while her daughter Maya walked along side

Maya Burrow waved to the crowd who chanted her late father’s name

Rob’s parents Geoffrey, left, and Irene, right, where also in the crowd last night

More than 80 former players were at last night’s game as a tribute to the Rugby League legend

‘On a personal level it’s been difficult, but on a professional level we have to come to work. It’s more relief than anything. We were desperate to get that win for Rob and his family.’

Leigh head coach Adrian Lam admitted the evening was all about Burrow, and joined Croft in suggesting the hosts had had some external assistance in fashioning a much-needed win.

‘I’m pleased for Leeds because it was a special night for the club,’ said Lam, whose side left their revival too late as they failed to replicate the intensity of last week’s excellent 10-2 win over Catalans Dragons in the south of France.

‘I thought it was the best they (Leeds) played in a couple of years. It looked like they had a little bit of extra help from above with those try-saving tackles.

‘As a club we were grateful that we were here and we played a small part as well. I thought it was a great experience to be a part of. I haven’t seen it for a long time – it was a really special night for rugby league.’

Jackson held a match ball signed by players ahead of last night’s highly emotional game

Despite a series of chances, Lam conceded his side had been off the pace in the first period but saw some positives in the way they hit back and believes they are still very much in the mix to repeat last season’s march to the post-season play-offs.

‘We’ve been on a long run of away games and we’ve got a lot of home games in the second half of the season, so there is still some hope there for us,’ added Lam.

‘With players coming back we’ll get a chance to play a full squad, so we’re staying positive.’

Rob Burrow’s father, Geoff, has shared emotional memories of his son after the rugby league legend’s death ahead of last night’s game.

Burrow’s name and a large yellow number seven adorned the pitch while Rhinos players wore a blue and orange jersey for the Super League fixture against Leigh. 

The touching pre-match event, which coincidentally took place on Global MND Awareness Day, also saw Burrow’s father address the capacity crowd.

Rob Burrow’s father, Geoff, shared emotional memories of his son after his passing this month

Mr Burrow broke down in tears as he described the rugby league legend as a ‘lovely lad’

Burrow, who played for Leeds Rhinos for 17 years, died surrounded by his family in hospital

‘It’s a very emotional night especially because Leeds against Leigh was the first home game I took Rob to,’ Mr Burrow, whose voice cracked with emotion, said. 

‘He loved every minute. 

‘He was cheeky but he was a lovely, lovely lad. And I miss him so much.’

Burrow campaigned valiantly to increase awareness of MND, an incurable and debilitating illness, and raised more than £15million alongside his close friend and former Rhinos team-mate Kevin Sinfield in a bid to fund crucial research.

His final wish had been for construction to begin on a new £6m facility based in Leeds and designed to support the needs of people living with MND.

Burrow’s name and a large number seven were emblazoned on the pitch at Headingley

A large banner bearing an infamous quote from Burrow was laid out across the pitch

Shirts, flowers and scarves were left outside the ground as supporters paid their respects

The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease, which will cost around £6million, will help people living in and around Leeds who are battling MND. Pictured left to right: Rob’s sister Claire Burnett, father Geoff, mother Irene and sister Joanne Hartshorne

Mr Burrow dug the first hole on the site, watched on by the rest of his family and Sinfield, and admitted the poignant moment ‘meant everything’.

On the centre, Mr Burrow added: ‘We’re glad, I wish he could have seen it open. But he will see it through Jackson and the kids, Lindsey. We’re going to make him proud.’

As the teams emerged from the tunnel at Headingley, supporters in the East Stand held up blue and yellow placards adorned with Burrow’s initials and shirt number.

Two large banners were also unfurled, one depicting his image and the second featuring his infamous quote: ‘In a world full of adversity we must dare to dream.’

Sinfield, who is currently with England’s rugby union team in Japan, recorded a pre-match video tribute that was shown on the ground’s large screens.

He called Burrow ‘his little friend’ and ‘the bravest and toughest man I’ve ever met’.