'A club we have a lot of respect for': why Hull KR are wary of Leeds Rhinos threat in Las Vegas showpiece
Leeds Rhinos have been tipped for a “strong season”, by the captain of this weekend’s opponents Hull KR.
The Robins hold all available trophies, but Elliot Minchella, a former Rhinos player, predicts they will have their hands full against Leeds in Saturday’s Las Vegas showdown. The Betfred Super League clash is Hull KR’s first fixture since last week’s 30-24 win over Australian champions Brisbane Broncos in the World Club Challenge.
Rhinos won two of the sides’ three meetings last year, a season when Hull KR lifted the Challenge Cup, league leaders’ shield and Super League trophy and Minchella insisted: “Leeds are a club we have a lot of respect for, on and off the field.”
He said. “I think the way the club is run off the field is great and on the field that speaks for itself. I thought they were unlucky last year and this year they have recruited really well and I think they’ll have a strong season. Hopefully they don’t beat us on Saturday, but I think they are in for a good year regardless.”
Minchella would like to make up for last term’s two defeats, but stressed Rovers aren’t looking back. “You never forget when teams beat you, but you can’t give it too much energy,” he stated.
“It is a new year. If you put all your eggs in one basket you probably don’t perform as well as you need to. We are aware of it, we can’t get away from it, but we want to be on the other side of the result on Saturday.”
The Robins suffered a surprise defeat at York Knights in the opening match of their Super League title defence before bouncing back against Brisbane. Last week’s win was arguably the biggest in the club’s history, but Minchella insisted the partying is now over.
Of whether there could be a World Club hangover at Allegiant Stadium, he said: “I guess we’ll see on Saturday, but I’d like to say not. We’ve had the best prep we can so far, the club have been great with us in terms of giving us everything we need nutrition-wise and recovery. There’s no excuses.”
Hull KR arrived in Nevada on Sunday, just three days after their world title match. “It has been crazy, to be honest,” Minchella said of the past few days. “But we are not getting too high with the win.
“The week before we lost, so it is important you don’t get too low when you lose as well - don’t lose focus on what you believe in, win or lose. Whether you lose in round one or win the World Club Challenge you have to make training look the same.
“That’s what we are big believers in and it’s what we do as well. It’s not just talking about it, you have to go and action it. That’s our focus’ we enjoyed Thursday night and then our full focus turned to Leeds Rhinos in Las Vegas.”
The Yorkshire Evening Post’s coverage of Leeds Rhinos in Las Vegas is in association with Betfred Super League. Saturday’s showdown between Rhinos and Hull KR at Allegiant Stadium is an early highlight of a packed year of club rugby league action which also includes the Challenge Cup final at Wembley on May 30, Magic Weekend’s blockbuster return to Everton FC’s Hill Dickinson Stadium on July 4-5 and the Super League Grand Final on October 3 at Old Trafford. Experience live Super League. League Hits Different. To guarantee your place, visit Super League | Tickets.