Leeds Rhinos will be battled-hardened for the play-offs, coach Brad Arthur reckons.

Rhinos have already secured a top-six finish in Betfred Super League, but are fighting to hang on to top spot after last Thursday’s 20-16 home defeat by Leigh Leopards. That game went to the wire with Rhinos having an equalising try, which would have given them a conversion to win it, disallowed by the video referee with three minutes left.

Six days earlier they had battled back from 16-0 down to win 24-22 at Wakefield Trinity, thanks to a converted touchdown at a similar point in the game. After two ferocious clashes with title rivals, Arthur feels Leeds will be better for an early taste of play-off style rugby.

“That’s what the games are going to look like,” he said of the thriller against Leigh. “It was fast, frantic with both teams throwing a lot of punches.

Oscar Brown, seen in pre-season action at Castleford Tigers, returned from injury for Leeds Rhinos reserves last week. Picture by Steve Riding.

placeholder image — Oscar Brown, seen in pre-season action at Castleford Tigers, returned from injury for Leeds Rhinos reserves last week. Picture by Steve Riding.

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“Now we can go away, look at the moments we got wrong, how we got them wrong and how do we get them right next time? You’re not going to get them all right, but at least we camped down there [in Leigh’s territory], we built the pressure, we had the field position, we just didn’t nail the final pass.”

Leeds will be without centre Jack Bird for Sunday’s visit to York Knights after he failed a head injury assessment against Leigh. Wingers Maika Sivo and Alfie Edgell remain on the casualty list, alongside back-rowers James McDonnell and Ben Littlewood.

That gives Arthur a selection headache on the edges, but he insisted: “Lloydy [Zak Lloyd] did a good job [against Leigh] so Chank [Chris Hankinson] could go back out in the centre, so we do have a few options. Oscar Brown did all right in reserves, but we don’t want to be making a decision now. We have got plenty of time to sit back and have a look at it.”

Jeremiah Mata'utia is staying at Leeds Rhinos for the rest of this season, coach Brad Arthur says. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

Australian signing Matt Lodge is due to arrive in Leeds today (Sunday) and will be in contention for the game at York. Arthur said Rhinos aren’t planning any more additions before Friday’s 2026 transfer deadline.

The team boss also confirmed prop Jeremiah Mata’utia, who had a spell at Hull FC earlier in the season, won’t be going back out on loan. Mata’utia scored two tries for the reserves against Hull last Thursday and Arthur said: “Jerry’s staying. He is still pushing for a spot in the team.” Rhinos have confirmed Mata’utia won’t be retained when his contract expires this autumn.