Leeds Rhinos inspired by Hull KR challenge in Las Vegas as Ash Handley verdict given
Leeds Rhinos boss Brad Arthur expects world champions Hull KR to bring the best out of his side in Las Vegas on Saturday.
The losing team in the Betfred Super League round three showdown at Allegiant Stadium face a long trip home, but Arthur insisted: “We haven’t contemplated that.” The coach said: “We’ve contemplated putting in a good performance and Hull KR bring the best out of us because they are such a good side and we like to challenge ourselves.
“We have a good [recent] record against them and that’s because they force you to be at your best. What we need to learn is we have got to be at our best every week. Going up against the World Club Champions in Las Vegas, it couldn’t be any better. It’ll show us exactly where we are as a team. We want to challenge ourselves against the best and we couldn’t ask for anything better to build on.”
Rhinos captain Ash Handley has yet to play a competitive game this year, because of a groin injury, but the centre is expected to lead the team out at Allegiant Stadium. “Ash trained today [Wednesday],” Arthur confirmed. “He has to get through tomorrow, but he has done an amazing job to get himself ready for this game. He was pushing hard last week as well and just didn’t quite make it, but we’re pretty confident he is going to be right.”
England prop Mikolaj Oledzki, who has travelled to Vegas, won’t play as he recovers from a rib injury suffered three weeks ago in the Betfred Challenge Cup against Widnes Vikings. New signing Jack Bird is training with the reserves in Leeds this week, but - other than rookies Alfie Edgell and Max Simpson who are on the long-term casualty list - Rhinos are close to full-strength.
Five players returned from injury in last Friday’s 46-14 win against York Knights and all are expected to play in Vegas. “We’ve got no excuses,” Arthur stressed. “Last week was a really good performance for 70 minutes.
“Maybe we had one eye on this week in the last 10 minutes. I will give the guys a little bit of leeway there. Maybe we put the cue on the rack a bit early, but if they did, we’d better get the benefits out of it to start the game on Saturday with our energy.”
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.