Leeds Rhinos could end a turbulent 2022 Super League campaign in the play-offs on Saturday when they host Castleford Tigers in their final regular-season game.
Richard Agar quit as head coach after six games following a disastrous start to the season but Rohan Smith has presided over a stunning upturn in the eight-time Super League champions’ fortunes.
Although their six-match winning run ended with defeat at Catalans Dragons on Monday, the Rhinos will secure a top-six finish by beating Lee Radford’s men at Headingley this weekend. Here, Leeds Live assesses a number of issues surrounding Smith’s squad as they prepare for the crunch West Yorkshire derby clash.
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Making play-offs would mark significant success for Leeds
For a club who has gorged on silverware for the past two decades, scraping into the play-offs might not be viewed as a cause for huge celebration at Headingley tomorrow. But, if the result goes in the Rhinos’ favour, expect victory to be rapturously received by all those of a blue and amber persuasion. For it would mark the culmination of several weeks of hard work under Rohan Smith since the Australian’s mid-season arrival.
The South Stand should be rocking for the derby with Castleford and, historically, there is no love lost between these old adversaries. If Leeds win – and they are huge favourites given Castleford’s injury and suspension problems – then it will be party time for players and supporters alike. Moreover, it would confirm the new chapter being patiently written by Smith is one of substance.
Rhinos boosted by return of key men
Leeds are boosted by the return of five players for this weekend’s game and Rohan Smith has been able to name a strong 21-man squad.Aidan Sezer, Blake Austin, Ash Handley, Camron Smith and James Donaldson all return after varying lengths of absence. Sezer and Austin missed last week's defeat to Catalans through suspension and injury but are both in line to return against the Tigers.
Smith has missed three games with a leg injury suffered in the victory over Hull KR while Donaldson has missed a month with an knee injury. Handley missed Monday's defeat to the Dragons awaiting the birth of his child. They all come into contention, while Castleford have only been able to name a 19-man squad after losing Liam Watts and Danny Richardson last week. Watts is banned and Richardson has suffered an ACL injury, leaving the Tigers without two of their most influential players and Leeds as huge favourites to take the spoils.
Raw emotion will be everywhere at Headingley
With hugely popular players such as Brad Dwyer and Liam Sutcliffe set to depart Leeds at the end of the season, this weekend will be their Headingley farewell. The pair are joining Hull FC and other players such as Bodene Thompson, Tom Briscoe and Muizz Mustapha are also moving on. That will merely add to an emotionally fraught atmosphere as the Rhinos bid to extend their season in what will be their final home game in 2022, regardless of the result.
Opportunity to regain momentum ahead of potential play-off clash
Leeds’ winning run had to end at some point – Monday’s defeat at Catalans Dragons was it. It marked the end of a six-match sequence of victories which have lifted the Rhinos into play-off contention and even made them dark horses for the title. Beating Castleford to seal a play-off spot through whatever means possible is the priority for Leeds this weekend. But if Leeds can do it in style, then it would set them up perfectly for a trip to Catalans or Huddersfield Giants next week in the eliminator play-offs. The Rhinos have a track record of finding their best form when it matters most and their legions of supporters will hope they can do it all again this year.
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