The Leeds Rhinos will play Hull KR on Sunday to see how good they are.
The hardest test in the league right now is going to the Betfred Super League leaders, although Leeds were encouraged by their 48-30 victory over Leigh Leopards last week and the fact that six of their players were included in the England train-on team.
1.Here are five points to discuss. It wasn't shocking that Jake Connor, the leader of the Man of Steel, wasn't included. As a maverick, the Rhinos half-back is not the kind of player that national coach Shaun Wane prefers.
Connor was always a long shot since Mikey Lewis of ,Hull KR who is similarly renowned for his ability to wind up opponents, was a lock to join the Super League-based train-on group.
Lewis will be England's backup if George Williams and Harry Smith are fit, but Connor deserves to be included based on his performance.
He should have benefited from his ability to play full-back as well, but Leeds will benefit if his exclusion gives him a bit more drive.
The Rhinos have improved this season, as evidenced by the six players in the 32, which is particularly encouraging for Tom Holroyd and Morgan Gannon following their injury issues in 2024.
It's also encouraging to see James McDonnell, an unsung hero, receiving some credit. In addition to Mikolaj Oledzki and Ash Handley, who have both played for England in the past, Wane is a fan of Harry Newman, who has performed well in the last two Test series and was a natural choice for the team. Given that Handley is now a centre for Leeds, it will be intriguing to see where Wane sees him in his plans.
1.From David Hulme and Iestyn Harris in the 1990s to Ali Lauitiiti in 2004, Mitch Garbutt ten years ago, and Zak Hardaker when Leeds last advanced to the Grand Final in 2022, Rhinos have benefited greatly from in-season acquisitions throughout the Super League era.
The name of Kallum Watkins has now been included on that list. Although the situation wasn't perfect,
Watkins' move from Salford Red Devils to Leeds has been a brilliant one. He played the entire 80 minutes and scored a spectacular brace of tries against Leigh, demonstrating his exceptional ability.
After playing eight games thus far as a substitute, starting at second-row and loose-forward, and filling in as a centre and stand-off, he looks to be growing even better at the age of 34. In addition, he has kicked a conversion and touched down three times.
He would have been deserving of an England spot because, on form, there aren't many better players in the European competition anymore.
3. Brad, the Rhinos' coach When Arthur reflected on his team's defensive performance against Leigh, he would likely be tearing his metaphorical hair out, but he was correct to be upbeat in his post-match remarks. Although coaches don't want to watch their side give up six tries, Arthur didn't need to worry too much.
Leeds has demonstrated this season that they can defend when necessary, but they will undoubtedly need to perform better against Hull KR on Sunday.
Although their misfiring attack has been a greater problem, the Rhinos scored eight tries and shown some excellent rugby. Furthermore, the game is meant to be entertaining, as Arthur later noted, and none of the 14,000 spectators could argue they didn't receive their money's worth. Overall, it was enjoyable even though it wasn't your usual evening at AMT Headingley.
4. Brad Arthur is having trouble with co-captain Cameron Smith's play after he returned from a long-term injury. Smith is playing as well as he did when he was named the Rhinos' player of the season a few years ago, and he has been a substitute in each of the five games.
Smith deserves a start because Leeds are unquestionably a superior team when he is playing, but the Rhinos would risk missing the contribution he makes when he is substituted in. In place of Smith, Keenan Palasia started at loose-forward, and Cooper Jenkins returned to the 13 at prop. Watkins was selected at second-row against Leigh, replacing the injured Gannon.
This week there may be the temptation to start with both Watkins and Smith, with Jenkins or Palasia among the substitutes. It’s not the worst problem to have.
5: Hull KR are a cut above the rest at the moment and Leeds, who haven’t beaten them for almost three years, will have to be very good to get something from Sunday’s game, but it’s the sort of challenge they should relish. Rhinos were the better side for most of the previous meeting, in April and are a better team now than they were then.
It’s a while (March, 2023 at St Helens) since
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