SMART MOVE
Rhinos star Rhyse: We’re on a top-six mission
Wakefield v Leeds Tomorrow, 3pm
RHYSE MARTIN and his Leeds Rhinos have thrown down the gauntlet in the mad scramble for the play-off spots.
Their whitewashing of Wigan on Thursday sounded the alarm bells to the other four teams scrapping for a top six place.
Only Castleford responded with a win, causing significant changes in the table and putting extra pressure on some teams going into the final four games.
Leeds jumped from seventh to fifth and know their play-off destiny is now in their own hands as they face two play-off rivals – Hull and Hull KR – in their remaining fixtures. But back rower Martin insists the Rhinos still need to be on high alert – especially against rejuvenated Wakefield today.
The Papua New Guinea star said: “Every game for us for the rest of the season is a must-win.
“If we drop a game it is going to put a lot of pressure on us to make the top six.”
Rivals
Trinity have won two of their three games since sacking coach Chris Chester and traditionally raise their game against their big city rivals.
Leeds snatched victory late in last November’s clash and this season won by only six points at home in March and then in golden point extra time in May. Martin landed the crucial two point winning penalty that day and is desperate not to let the game go to extra-time again today.
He said: “Games are tough enough, with the short turn-arounds between fixtures that we’ve got at the moment, without them going to golden point.
“Hopefully we can put in a good performance and win before then. But we’ve only just sneaked through in our last three games against Wakefield so it’s going to be tough.”
Martin, who is expected to sign a new deal to stay at Leeds next year, is determined to end the season on a high.
He was hospitalised with Covid earlier in the year and admits it has been a hard campaign for the Rhinos.
He said: “You always set yourself the goal of getting to the big game at the end of the season and I will be very proud if we do that. Like a lot of teams, we’ve had a tough year with multiple Covid cases, a lot of injuries, plus suspensions.
“Last week we had 60 per cent of our squad unable to play so for us to keep digging in and winning is something to be proud of.
Confidence
“The way we are playing is boosting confidence. We know that however tough it gets we will keep working hard for each other.”
Martin is also desperate to reach the Grand Final at Old Trafford so he can celebrate with his fiancee Vanessa and two-month-old son Matteo.
He said: “I’m so proud of how Vanessa is doing as a mum.
“When I get home to them and Matteo is smiling you cannot help but be happy.”