Leeds Rhinos: Easter is key indicator to cracking campaign says Myler

Rhinos visit second-bottom Huddersfield Giants this afternoon and play host to Salford Red Devils, who are just one place better off, on Monday.

And Myler is confident if Rhinos can come out of the holiday weekend with maximum points, they will be in good shape for a successful campaign.

“You kind of know where you’re at after Easter, where you are sitting in the league and how you are going about it,” Myler said. “We are pretty happy with where we are at the minute, but we know we need to pick up four points over the Easter period and we’re looking forward to it.”

Giants have lost five of their seven games so far, have a lengthy injury list and are without a permanent head coach after Rick Stone was sacked three days ago.

But Myler believes they are better than their recent form suggests and warned any team with Danny Brough in its ranks will be dangerous.

“He makes it tough,” Myler said of his opposite number.

“He has done that for a very long time and he is a big key indicator of anything that’s good from them. They have got a lot of strike in their team and a lot of quality. They have not hit their straps over the last few weeks and they’ll be looking to turn that around, but obviously we are coming off the back of a loss and we want to put in a good performance.

“We will have to be on our mettle to get the two points.”

Myler, in his first season at the club, has been a growing influence for Rhinos and their attack is beginning to click as he develops combinations with his new teammates.

“I am loving it,” said the former Catalans Dragons pivot.

“It is great being in and around a lot of talent and a lot of strike and a lot of dangers.

“It makes my job a lot easier. I enjoy my role in the team and I am quite happy in my performance at the moment.”

Myler insisted lessons have been learned from a week ago when Rhinos were beaten 25-24 by Castleford Tigers after trailing 24-0 in as many minutes: “We nearly pulled it back after a bad start. We were great for 65 minutes, it was just the first 15 when we weren’t at the races and credit to Cas, they punished us.

“We came up with some really good tries and there was some individual stuff that was outstanding from certain players. I think we showed we are an exciting side to watch when we throw the ball around. It’s just getting that balance – we didn’t start well and that’s what we need to get right this week.”

But he added: “I wouldn’t say it is a concern, we just need to learn from it. The intensity we played the game at for 65 minutes was really good and we were right up there.

“I just don’t think we got our intensity right to start the game. That’s just a mindset thing and a focus thing and it’s something we need to work on. We have to learn from it; it is a long season and we want to learn and keep building and keep progressing.”