Same team, but different result for Rhinos in Cup
IT’S Challenge Cup semifinals weekend – and time for the Leeds players to stand up against Warrington.
If we cast our minds back to the first game of the season, the Rhinos won at the Wolves.
But both sides have been on different trajectories since then.
Leeds will miss skipper Kallum Watkins, out for the rest of the season with a cruciate ligament injury, in a game like this. He is the kind of player who is worth six points.
But the rest of the Leeds players need to ask themselves some questions about their desire and commitment to the shirt. Defying form in the big matches when it matters most has been in Leeds’ DNA for the last 10 to 12 years, something new director of rugby Kevin Sinfield knows all about.
It’s pretty hard to see that happening at the moment but this is the time for them to come together.
Warrington have been excellent under Steve Price and are genuine contenders for both the Challenge Cup and Grand Final. Leeds is my old club and I don’t like to back against them, but I think Warrington will have too much. First up tomorrow is St Helens against Catalans. This is a dangerous tie for Justin Holbrook’s side. When the draw was made you would have said Saints were set for Wembley, but it’s a bit more complicated than that now.
You have to credit Steve McNamara and the Dragons for their resurgence.
After Trent Robinson left the club to coach in Australia, there was ill-discipline off the pitch and I think that led to the same happening on it.
Steve’s pre-season signings such as Micky McIlorum will have shown being a professional player is not just what you do at training, but for 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Having self-discipline off the pitch lends itself to discipline on it. And in rugby league the team with the most selfdiscipline usually wins.
St Helens have been outstanding this year, and are strong in both facets of the game. Their forwards pass the ball more than anyone else and they have some high quality players, such as Ben Barba (left), to capitalise on that.
But it’s their hunger in defence that impressed me most against Warrington recently.
I think Saints will win, but it’s not a foregone conclusion and that should make for a great semi-final.