Rhinos are still coming to terms with last weekend's Carnegie Challenge Cup semi-final defeat by St Helens, amid an injury crisis which could see them travel to Warrington Wolves on Sunday without up to eight first-choice players.

Hetherington, right, acknowledges that Rhinos are facing their toughest examination of the season so far, but he insisted they have got what it takes to stage a successful defence of their engage Super League title.

"The semi-final was a big disappointment for us," Hetherington said. "We want to win every competition we are in and Wembley was something special for the players, the fans, the staff and everybody else at the club.

"I think the team gave it a pretty good shot, but unfortunately they came up short on the day. That has been and gone for us now and we are very much focused on the rest of the season. We are having a challenging time at the moment, with injuries in particular, but one of the great strengths of this team is its resilience.

"This is the best squad we have ever had in terms of togetherness and commitment to each other.

"It has got all those qualities in abundance and those qualities will carry us through this difficult period."

The Yorkshire Evening Post revealed yesterday that centre Clinton Toopi (knee) and winger Ryan Hall (foot) will not play again this year after being hurt in the semi-final.

"Losing two quality players for the rest of the season is a big blow," Hetherington said. "But we see it as a challenge, rather than an excuse."

Saints, who lead second-placed Rhinos on points difference, are on a 16-game winning run, but Hetherington doesn't believe they are unstoppable.
"It's remarkable on their part to be able to achieve such a level of consistency," he said.

"There's no doubt they are in a rich vein of form and they are playing with a lot of confidence and a pretty full squad, much like we were earlier in the season.

"You don't go through a season and enjoy that sort of luxury all the time.

"We are battling on two fronts and the race for top position in Super League is very much on.

"Catalans are in there as well and never before have we had a three horse race for top spot with five rounds to go.

"Every match will be like a semi-final."

Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Ryan Bailey have definitely been ruled out of Saturday's game at Warrington – along with Toopi and Hall – and Danny McGuire, Brent Webb, Ali Lauitiiti and Rob Burrow are all injury doubts.

Rhinos have no plans to recall Kallum Watkins back early from the England Academy tour to Australia, but recalling fellow teenage centre Jodie Broughton from a loan spell at Hull is an option being considered.