Rhinos on the charge
Published on: 16th May, 2009
Rhinos on the charge | Related News
Leeds’ Challenge Cup exit might just be a blessing in disguise.
Of course, the defending Super League champions will have been disappointed to go out to their arch rivals St Helens, but it has given them a timely week off.
After a wretched month in April, they will have had a few days to recover physically and mentally, right a few wrongs and I am sure they will be champing at the bit as they head to The Jungle for what is always a tough fixture, no matter what is going on at Castleford.
Leeds know they will need to be right up for this – and I think they will be.
For instance, I expect to see one of their linchpins, Rob Burrow, back at full pelt. He took a couple of hefty blows earlier in the season, not least against Manly, but at Magic Weekend there were signs that he was getting back to his very best.
That might well go for the Leeds side as a whole as well. I don’t quite know where they went wrong in April, maybe they were trying too hard. They had every reason to be jaded, because a lot of them had a tough World Cup and maybe it was a case of a delayed hangover.
Relaxed
It seems strange to say for the reigning champions who are used to everything falling into place, but maybe when things didn’t go their way, they were guilty of just overdoing it, forcing the issue.
They looked a lot more relaxed in that first half in Edinburgh and absolutely blitzed Les Catalans. Danny Buderus showed us all what we know he can do, and if they can get that pack firing on all cylinders, Castleford will be in for a tough night.
Terry Matterson will certainly be delighted he has big Joe Westerman back, that’s for sure. He will also be pleased that Westerman and Michael Shenton have been named in Tony Smith’s elite England squad.
That will give the whole club a lift and certainly both players will have a spring in their step. They will need to exude that confidence and exert their undoubted ability if the Tigers are to become the latest side to shock the champions.
Brent Sherwin will also be crucial. Cas have no problems when it comes to commitment and effort and energy in front of their own fans, but Brian McClennan will have his side prepared properly and they will be ready for a rough ride. What Cas need to succeed is a little brains to go with that brawn and the Australian is the one they will look to for guidance.
Normally Leeds would look to Jamie Peacock, but I think they might have been relying on the big fella a little too much. They need more from the likes of Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Ryan Bailey in that pack. If they get that, with Burrow, Danny McGuire and Buderus on song, I have a feeling we might just see Leeds cut loose… eventually.
Stevo says
Away win – It is going to be a tough encounter because it always tin hat time at The Jungle, but Leeds will be ready for that. The fact they have had that extra time off to tweak a few things and recharge the batteries means I expect them to build on that fantastic first-half show in Scotland. I can see them riding the storm before showing us all just what they can do.
Stevo’s star man
Danny Buderus (Leeds) – A lot of criticism has been aimed his way since his move, but there is no doubt he has been carrying injuries. Now we are starting to see why he is one of the most popular – and feared – rugby league footballers in the world. I think Leeds are looking to mirror what St Helens do with Keiron Cunningham and James Roby, by switching between Buderus and Matt Diskin – and it is starting to work.
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