Leeds Rhinos coach Brad Arthur outlines 'be excited' approach v Wigan Warriors but issues 'not done' warning
Leeds Rhinos players have been urged to get excited about the upcoming showdown with Wigan Warriors - but also stick to what has got them into this position.
First-placed Rhinos and Wigan, who are second, will go into Saturday’s huge clash level on 40 points, but Leeds have an advantage of 174 on for and against. Both teams will be expected to win their final game, at home to Hull FC and Catalans Dragons respectively, which makes this week effectively a decider for the league leaders’ shield.
Wigan already have the Challenge Cup in their trophy cabinet and are on course for a second treble in three seasons, but Rhinos haven’t finished top of Betfred Super League since 2018 and Arthur admitted his players are “pretty excited” about the challenge ahead. “We have worked really hard, this is the moment we’ve been waiting for,” he said.
“It is a big occasion, at home with 18-19,000 fans. They deserve it, we’ve just got to go and work hard now. We are up against a really good team who have been at the top of their game for a long, long time.
“They are well coached, great side, great club - the envy of probably every other Super League club. We get the opportunity to play against them, we are privileged and excited. We have done the work, we’ve got to be confident about it.”
Arthur spoke to the squad about next Saturday’s game in the changing room after Friday’s 34-6 thumping of St Helens and won’t play down the importance of this week’s game. “Let’s get excited about it,” he urged. “But we’ve got a lot of work to do and we’ve got to keep everything the same as we normally do. It is a big occasion, there’s only two teams getting to fight it out and we are one of them, so be proud of yourselves, but the job’s not done yet - the job’s not done.”