Leeds Rhinos: Mullally is aiming for milestone Leeds start

Rhinos have won just one of their opening five games and are third from bottom in the table approaching the quarter-way point of the First Utility Super League regular season.

They have scored fewer points than any of their top-flight rivals and just the bottom two of Hull KR and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats have conceded more.

Leeds face another tough evening on Friday at home to fourth-placed St Helens, but Mullally reckons sheer graft will get them out of their current hole.

“Obviously things aren’t the best at the moment, but we are working hard and we will get through it,” said the Irish international, who joined Rhinos from Huddersfield Giants in the autumn, after a loan spell at Wakefield last year.

“Things haven’t been going our way, but it is up to us. We just need to have a look at ourselves and have a dig. We are doing everything we can do and I am sure we will turn it round.”

He added: “We have done a review and I think some of the stuff that’s letting us down – and me as well – is little effort-based things.

“We have got all the skill. We have got everything we need. It is hard for me to say because I haven’t played much and I have just come into the team, but I am trying to do what I can to help the team.”

Mullally made his competitive debut in Rhinos’ World Club Challenge defeat by North Queensland Cowboys last month.

“I am just happy to be in the team and to be playing,” he stated.

“The first few games I didn’t get much game time, but I got a bit more in the second half against Wigan last week.

“I wouldn’t say I was happy with my performance, there’s a lot of things to work on, but there were some positives to take out of it and I’ll just build on that. There is no point being negative about it.”

Mullally was on the casualty list throughout pre-season after suffering an ankle injury in Rhinos’ game against New Zealand last October.

He did not feature until the first weekend of the campaign, when he made his comeback in an under-19s trial match at Doncaster, but stressed: “I can’t use that as an excuse.

“It might have had a part to play, but I am four games in now and I am starting to build my minutes up. If I play I want to be as fit as I can and not looking off the pace.”

All Mullally’s appearances so far have been off the substitutes’ bench. The next milestone will be his first Rhinos start.

“Everyone likes to start, but I’ve just got to wait my turn,” Mullally said. “I am just happy to be in the team. Each week I am just waiting to find out if I am playing and if I am playing I am made up. I am back at that point now. If I start at some point in the future, happy days. But at the moment I just want to be in the team.”