Late tries from Danny Buderus and Lee Smith carried engage Super League champions Leeds to a hard-fought win over Hull KR to go joint top of the table.

The Rhinos had trailed 14-6 early in the second half at Headingley after Rovers tries from Kris Welham and Ben Cockayne but Jamie Peacock began the fightback.

Buderus and Smith, who also kicked four goals, then went over in the final six minutes as the Rhinos edged a tight battle in difficult wet conditions.

Leeds were without captain Kevin Sinfield, who failed a late fitness test on a dead leg, while winger Scott Donald was ruled out through illness.

Rovers also had problems with full-back Shaun Briscoe failing to make the squad due to a shoulder injury.

The Rhinos made the perfect start as Brent Webb seized upon Danny McGuire's kick to score under the posts in the second minute.

Smith added the conversion in the absence of the prolific Sinfield but any suggestions the game might prove a Rhinos stroll were soon dispelled.

Kallum Watkins, scorer of the winning try when the sides met at Craven Park earlier in the season, created another chance with a break down the right but Smith could not take his inside pass.

Clint Newton was stopped just short for Rovers and another chance was lost when Dobson's kick was blocked and the scrum-half knocked on trying to regather.

Nick Fozzard spilled possession as Rovers pressed again but they immediately got the ball back as Webb lost it in a Jake Webster tackle.

Leeds then escaped with conceding a drop-out after Scott Murrell went close to grounding his own kick but Rovers were not to be denied for much longer as Paul Cooke's kick set up Welham.

Rob Burrow then caught Rovers with a typical jinking run but Peter Fox managed to get back to haul down McGuire after the stand-off took up the attack.

Rovers got themselves in front before the break as Murrell kicked through for Cockayne to evade a stationary Luke Burgess and score.

A loose ball almost fell for Carl Ablett to reply but Dobson won a foot race and kicked out of play at the second attempt.

A high tackle by Keith Senior on Murrell allowed Dobson to kick an extra two points early in the second.

Rovers applied further pressure and were unfortunate when Daniel Fitzhenry was held over the line and a Ben Galea kick proved too strong for Cockayne.

Leeds hauled themselves back within two points as rain began to fall heavily just before the hour.

Stand-in skipper Peacock did the damage as he raced on to a McGuire offload and Wasps-bound Smith converted from in front of the posts.

Leeds thought they had reclaimed the lead after a brilliant break and long pass by Burrow appeared to put top scorer Ryan Hall over but referee Ben Thaler ruled it forward.

Jamie Jones-Buchanan also went close for Leeds as Rovers clung on to their lead.

The Rhinos pressure eventually paid off and Buderus spun through a tackle to score from close range with six minutes remaining.

Smith then ended the Rovers resistance when he scooped up a loose ball to race the length of the field to score.