Leeds Rhinos are enjoying a stunning run of form heading into this evening’s clash at play-off rivals Catalans Dragons. Rohan Smith’s revitalised Rhinos have won six matches on the spin and will bid to make that seven in Perpignan. Here, Leeds Live assesses the state of the eight-time Super League champions as they seek to clinch a play-off spot.
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Rhinos will be desperate to finish the job
Beating Catalans Dragons at the Stade Gilbert Brutus for the second time in a month will take some doing, especially as the French hosts need a win themselves to potentially leapfrog Huddersfield Giants into third. Yet the dramatic 36-32 golden-point extra-time win on July 30 over last season’s beaten Super League Grand Finalists underlined the character within this Leeds squad.
Head coach Smith has poured confidence into his men, given them freedom to express themselves, and has so far been rewarded in spades. The play-offs are in touching distance for the Rhinos and beating Steve McNamara’s side this evening would confirm their place in the end-of-season lottery.
A defeat, though, could set up a tense shoot-out with Castleford Tigers at Headingley on Saturday for a top-six finish. Victory this evening would take the pressure off Leeds at the weekend and ensure a party atmosphere heading into the play-offs.
Jack Sinfield could be handed another chance to shine
Aidan Sezer – the Rhinos’ matchwinner in their classic comeback victory in Catalans last month – misses today’s game due to a one-game ban. Half-back partner Blake Austin, whose late try sealed victory over the Giants last Wednesday, is also absent due to a leg injury.
Imposing winger David Fusitu’a is similarly sidelined along with Harry Newman, James Donaldson, Cameron Smith and Bodene Thompson. There are a number of other players with niggles but Jack Sinfield is in today’s squad and has already shown his rich promise in flashes this year.
With Austin and Sezer both absent, the son of legendary former Leeds captain Kevin Sinfield will hope to start the match in the halves, possibly alongside Richie Myler or Kruise Leeming.
Leeds need to maintain play-off intensity
The Rhinos are on a roll right now and their recent charge has even got South Standers dreaming of a trip to Old Trafford next month. Leeds have history, of course, with making a late surge into the play-offs and then marching to title glory.
That kind of talk may be premature, but the Rhinos are currently the form team in Super League. If they can maintain that in their final two regular-season games – against Catalans and Castleford – then they could take some stopping in the play-offs.
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