Senior laments ref

Veteran Leeds centre Keith Senior launched a scathing attack on 'arrogant' Super League referee Richard Silverwood after his side's 18-10 loss against the Melbourne Storm in the World Club Challenge on Monday (NZT).

"He's the type of person who likes everything to be about him. I'm sick of him, he's arrogant," Senior said.

"I've had him many times. A lot of players don't like playing with him. He likes to be the centre of attention and he got his way tonight."

The former Great Britain international was pulled up for dissent after becoming frustrated with Melbourne's delaying tactics at the play-the-ball and from the resulting penalty Storm captain Cameron Smith kicked the goal that put his side in front for the first time in the match.

Melbourne went on to add a last-minute try through Anthony Quinn to seal the triumph and condemn Leeds to a second successive defeat in the annual clash of the champions.

Senior admitted he let the frustration get the better of him but remained angry over Silverwood's decision not to penalise the Australians for holding down in the tackle and criticised the performance of the match official.

"It was just frustration on my behalf and I should know better," he said.

"You've got to take decisions on the chin.

"But he called surrender. I had fought my way up and in my eyes that gave me the right to play the ball. He said they could keep hold of the ball and mess about.

"You can't take that away from some of the errors and the mistakes that we made."