One off day can change a season: why Leeds Rhinos boss Brad Arthur is wary of Castleford Tigers derby

Rhinos will restore a four-point gap at the top of Betfred Super League if they win their game in hand at Castleford Tigers tomorrow (Sunday). With a third of the season remaining, Leeds are in sight of a first piece of silverware since they lifted the Challenge Cup six years ago.

Just as importantly, a top-two finish would secure a bye through the first round of play-offs and home advantage in a sudden-death semi-final for a place at Old Trafford. However, after a largely injury-free campaign so far, Leeds are without four first-choice players for the trip to OneBore Stadium, Wheldon Road and Arthur knows nothing is decided yet.

Leeds’ remaining fixtures see them take on all four of the teams who have beaten them so far this year and Arthur warned: “It’s still a long way, nine games and things can change in the table really quickly. We are aware of that and our focus is just being a team that’s reliable on a weekly basis. We have proven to be that at the minute, but you only need one week of not being reliable and you can start having question marks.”

Though they’d be doing another of their fiercest rivals, Wakefield Trinity who are a point behind Leeds, a favour, Tigers would like nothing more than to end Rhinos’ seven-game winning streak. The hosts have lost their last three, but were close to upsetting Leigh Leopards a week ago and Arthur noted: “They were good.

“Carry [Castleford coach Ryan Carr] obviously gave them a rocket and they responded really well and tried hard and probably could say they were unlucky with a bounce of the ball or whatever. They did a really good job and put themselves in a position to win that game.

“We are expecting a really strong, physical start and the good thing about it is every team is coming at us like it’s a Grand Final appearance at the start and putting us under pressure. Catalans last week was one of the most physical games we’ve played, they really came to play and I think Castleford will come with the same mentality and throw everything into it.”

Arthur, who will make at least two changes to his 17 for the Sky Sports+ and SuperLeague+-televised fixture, knows the current Tigers boss well, having worked with him at Parramatta Eels in the southern hemisphere NRL. Carr, who had a spell as an assistant-coach at Rhinos seven years ago, has had a tough start to his time at Castleford and his side are 12th in the 14-team table.

But Arthur stressed: “He knows it is a tough job and you’ve just got to get on with it. It will make him a better coach and them a better squad. The good thing about it is he has managed to get quite a few responses out of that group this year and that’s a positive.”

A full house is expected tomorrow and Arthur added: “A lot of our guys like playing there. We’ve heard there’s a fair contingent of travelling fans, our fans enjoyed it last year and hopefully we get a good roll out on Sunday.”