Australian Tony Smith's first game in charge of Warrington Wolves ended in an agonising defeat as Danny McGuire's try secured a 20-14 win for Super League leaders Leeds Rhinos against the basement club at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Sunday.

England coach Smith, up against the side he twice led to the Super League title, joined the Wolves earlier in the week after the Lancashire club had lost their opening three league matches this season under James Lowes.

The Rhinos - returning to action for the first time since last weekend's 28-20 defeat against Manly in the World Club Challenge - were level at 14-14 when Great Britain stand-off McGuire struck with 10 minutes left.

Warrington full-back Chris Riley lost control following a crunching challenge by Jamie Jones-Buchanan, the ball was then fed out to McGuire who sidestepped what was left of the home defence to score.

McGuire's try came after the Wolves had recovered from a 14-4 deficit thanks largely to tries from Mick Higham in the 39th minute and former Manly centre Chris Hicks, who touched down 15 minutes after half time.

Elsewhere, former Newcastle Knights and Melbourne Storm centre Clint Newton was one of five try scorers for Hull KR as Wakefield were soundly beaten 31-18.

Shaun Briscoe, Newton and Scott Murrell all went over in the first-half for the hosts before Ben Fisher and Liam Colbon touched down in the second-half to give Hull their second straight win in the league.

On Saturday, exiled NSW State of Origin star Greg Bird returned to action after eight months in the rugby wilderness.

But his debut for the Catalans Dragons ended in disappointment as Castleford won 24-22 in France.

Playing at loose forward, this was Bird's first game since he was sacked by Cronulla and de-registered by the NRL over an alleged assault on girlfriend Katie Milligan.

After entering the fray in the 23rd minute, Bird had an immediate impact as his second touch was a try-scoring pass for Jamal Fakir but the 25-year-old still ended on the losing side with former St George Illawarra Dragons hooker Rangi Chase among five try scorers for the Tigers.

Wigan put their early season woes to one side with a comprehensive 44-10 win at home to Bradford.

The Warriors made light work of Bradford with New Zealand-born forward Harrison Hansen going over twice as Brian Noble's men ran in seven tries.

A solitary try from teenage wing Tom Armstrong proved decisive for St Helens in a narrow 4-0 win away to Super League new boys Celtic Crusaders.

Hull's dream start to the season continued on Friday as Richard Agar's men chalked up a fourth win on the trot with a 24-20 success at Huddersfield.

Tom Briscoe, Richard Horne, Jamie Thackray and Kirk Yeaman all crossed for Hull in a match where their defence was as important as their attack.

The Giants, who suffered their second straight home defeat, failed to find the form that had seen them stun Bradford at Odsal and found the Hull defence a tough nut to crack.

Former Wests full-back Brett Hodgson, Joe Walsh, Kevin Brown and David Hodgson replied with tries for former St George coach Nathan Brown's side but the scoreline didn't reflect Hull's superiority.

Winger Chris Melling grabbed a first-half hat-trick as Harlequins ran riot at Salford City Reds in their 48-18 win.

Former Canberra centre David Howell also scored twice in Quins' nine-try romp against a Salford side coached by former South Sydney Rabbitohs boss Shaun McRae.

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