Leeds Rhinos forward James Donaldson ready to break Super League play-off duck

Rhinos take on Catalans Dragons in an elimination tie at HJ Stadium, Warrington, on Friday - the first time they have been involved after the end of the regular season since they lifted the trophy in 2017.

They are two wins away from the Grand Final - at Hull’s KCOM Stadium in two weeks’ time - and Donaldson, who made his top-flight debut for Bradford Bulls 11 years ago, has waited longer than anyone for a crack at reaching the title decider.

“This is the first time I’ve ever played in the play-offs, in my whole career,” the 29-year-old forward reflected.

“It is crazy times and I think we have really come together this season and we’re starting to see the goods from the hard work the club have put in over the last few years to get back on track.

“Hopefully we can carry on performing the way we have and kick on in these finals.”

Rhinos finished fifth, one place below Catalans on win percentage.

They qualified after the regular season was cut short and the play-offs expanded from top-four to top-six, but fifth would have been good enough under the format the season began with.

That was Rhinos’ target before their opening game, nine months ago and with the Coral Challenge Cup already in the trophy cabinet, it has been a successful year for Leeds.

But Donaldson vowed: “We are in it now and we are in it to win it, so we’ve got to put our best foot forward come game day.

“There’s no second chances now; just like in the Challenge Cup we have got to do everything we can to win every single game now.”

Though Catalans have played only once in the past month and could be rusty, Donaldson expects them to be at their best.

“They have got a great team,” he warned.

“There’s a lot of size to them and a lot of experience and they have a good coach in Steve McNamara.

“They will be getting excited for this opportunity as well.

“Everything is on the line, you have just got to do everything you can and prepare the best you can in training.

“I think we are in a really good position at the moment, we are a really strong team with nearly everyone available.

“It is a really strong opportunity for the club to go and get some more silverware.”

While Catalans might be lacking match practice, Rhinos have just come off a run of six games in 20 days.

“They say there’s nothing like game fitness,” Donaldson said.

“We can take that sharpness into the game, you don’t always get that in training - contact and timing and things like that.

“I see it as a positive for ourselves.”

Because of the early end to the regular season, Rhinos have not played since a 20-18 win at Wakefield Trinity on November 1.

Donaldson said: “I am feeling really good, re-energised after having a weekend off after the mad schedule.

“I think all the boys are benefiting, it has been a tough month of fixtures and that weekend off came at the right time.

“I think we are all fresh and ready.”

Rhinos coach Richard Agar and assistant-boss Jamie Jones-Buchanan will not be at the ground.

They are isolating after a member of the backroom staff tested positive form coronavirus last week, but Donaldson insisted: “When we’ve been at training we’ve just been cracking on with what’s at hand.

“Sometimes it’s other coaches who will take drills anyway, Rich doesn’t take the full session all the time.

“We have just got on with our job as normal and kept focused on what’s in front of us, which is the coming game.”

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