Here's the shocking losing record Leeds Rhinos must end v St Helens to stay top of Super League
Leeds Rhinos can move two points clear at the top of the table on Thursday, but only if they break an embarrassing losing streak.
Rhinos lead Betfred Super League on points difference from Warrington Wolves and St Helens, who travel to AMT Headingley aiming to extend an eight-game winning run there against Leeds. Rhinos’ most recent home victory against Saints was a 16-14 success in the Super-8s on August 18, 2017, when Brian McDermott was their coach and Leeds went on to win their eighth Super League title.
To rub salt into their wounds, Leeds have failed to score in three of those eight defeats, including a 6-0 Betfred Super League reverse last season. Rhinos’ overall record against the Merseyside outfit is equally dismal with Saints winning 21 of the teams’ last 23 meetings.
Though Saints’ dominance includes the 2022 Grand Final at Old Trafford, Leeds’ most painful loss came in last year’s elimination play-off at Headingley when Shane Wright scored after the final hooter to complete a remarkable 16-14 comeback win by the visitors.
To give Leeds a glimmer of hope, they did manage to beat Saints once in last season’s four encounters, winning 17-4 at Magic Weekend in Newcastle 13 months ago. Thursday will be the 86th time Leeds have played Saints in Super League, including play-offs and Grand Finals. So far, Rhinos have won 34, with Saints coming out on top in the other 51.