It all comes down to this, don’t let the opportunity slip. That’s the message from Leeds Rhinos coach Brad Arthur to his players ahead of tomorrow’s (Friday) showdown with Warrington Wolves.

The winners of AMT Headingley’s first Betfred Super League semi-final since 2017 will go through to next weekend’s Old Trafford title decider against either Wigan Warriors or Wakefield Trinity. Rhinos earned home advantage and a bye in the opening round of play-offs after finishing as league runners-up, one place ahead of Warrington on points difference.

After leading the table for much of the year, their form has faltered over the past five weeks and they go into the make or break tie having lost their last three home games. But Arthur reckons that will be forgotten if Rhinos can produce “the best version of us” when it matters most.

“We have seen that plenty of times this year and we have played a lot of good footy,” he said. “Our last couple of weeks haven’t been ideal, but it doesn’t really count for much right now.

Leeds Rhinos produced a top-quality performance to win 34-6 at Warrington Wolves in June, when Chris Hankinson was among the try scorers. Coach Brad Arthur wants a repeat in Friday's semi-final. Picture by Olly Hassell/SWpix.com

placeholder image — Leeds Rhinos produced a top-quality performance to win 34-6 at Warrington Wolves in June, when Chris Hankinson was among the try scorers. Coach Brad Arthur wants a repeat in Friday's semi-final. Picture by Olly Hassell/SWpix.com

“Those last two games, all they mean is we showed a couple of things we needed to tidy up, which we have been able to do during the week, around execution. But the first 27 rounds, all that has done is put us in a position where we are 80 minutes away from Old Trafford.

“We are ready to go, we are nice and fresh and the best version of us we know is good enough. We’ve got to find that and do it for 80 minutes and that’s what we are looking forward to.”

Despite mounting injury problems and their disappointing recent results, Arthur insisted Rhinos are exactly where they want to be. He added: “We’ve worked extremely hard. We had a great season which set us up and put us in this position where we finished in the top-two and are 80 minutes away from Old Trafford. If you offer that to me at the start of the year, I am grabbing it with two hands.”

A fourth straight Headingley defeat would be a sour way to end a campaign which saw Rhinos win their first 10 home matches. Arthur conceded: “That has annoyed us a little bit, the last couple of games haven’t been our best here. We’ve got 80 minutes to put it right. We do owe that to our fans, our last couple of crowds have been outstanding.”

Leeds Rhinos players celebrate their Super League semi-final win at Wigan Warriors four years ago. They haven't beaten top-flight opposition in a knockout tie since then. Picture by Ed Sykes/SWpix.com.

While Warrington were in action against Hull KR last Saturday, Arthur accepts tomorrow will decide if a weekend off was a positive for his side. “We had a big session last Friday, tried to simulate a game as close as we could, then on Monday they bounced in nice and fresh,” he stated. “We have made the most of it, but only time will tell. We need to make sure we cash in on the opportunity we’ve been given after 14 days.”

He went on: “We’ve tried to keep it [preparations] as normal as we can, but also recognising it all comes down to this one game. It’s not about pressure, it’s about opportunity and that’s what we have talked about.

“The thing I am really keen to see is can we find our best 80 minutes? If we do and it’s not good enough, I can live with that. But it will be a long pre-season if we don’t come up with our best 80.”

Friday's game against Warrington Wolves is Leeds Rhinos' first Super League semi-final at Headingley since they beat Hull FC in September, 2017. Danny McGuire, who made his final home competitive appearance for Leeds that evening, celebrates with teammates. Picture by Steve Riding.

Though Leeds beat Warrington twice in the regular season, the visitors have lost only one of their last nine games. “They will be confident,” Arthur predicted. “They have played some good footy the last couple of weeks and they’ve done a really good job to get to where they are now, 80 minutes away from Old Trafford.

“They will be very happy with their season and really keen to get over here, but our biggest focus is on us and our 80 minutes and putting it out on the field. We know what our best looks like and can we reproduce it? We just have to get out there and play well.”

If Leeds do win, it will be their first victory against top-flight opposition in a knockout tie since the 2022 Super League semi-final at Wigan. “It is just another opportunity,” Arthur stressed. “I am not big on stats - records are there to be broken.”