Leeds Rhinos are going into Saturday’s massive game against Wigan Warriors in good form and confident mood, according to hooker Jarrod O’Connor.

Last Friday’s 34-6 victory over St Helens set up what is likely to be a Betfred Super League leaders’ shield decider at home to Wigan in the penultimate round of the regular season. The sides are locked on 40 points, with Leeds’ holding top spot on for and against.

Wigan are on a 14-game winning run, but last week was Leeds’ first victory at Saints since 2023 and O’Connor feels it was ideal preparation. “We were obviously expecting it to be a really tough game and it was quite physical, but I think our composure and in the end our skill and fitness ended up getting the best of them,” he said.

“It sets up a nice big game [this week]. It is basically a final for the league leaders’. We are all excited for it, we know what we can do and we reckon we can get them.”

Jarrod O'Connor has played the full 80 minutes in Leeds Rhinos' last six games and that is set to continue. Picture by Matthew Merrick/SWpix.com.

placeholder image — Jarrod O'Connor has played the full 80 minutes in Leeds Rhinos' last six games and that is set to continue. Picture by Matthew Merrick/SWpix.com.

O’Connor, 25, added: “It [last week] was exactly what we wanted against a really good side who had nothing to lose. They needed to win to push their chances of getting in the play-offs and I think that type of performance gets us ready.

“That’s what the play-off games will be like, nice and physical and I think the way we went about it, just the composure, [was important]. We had a few penalties against us in the first half and no one panicked, we just defended our line. That’s a big thing we’ve been talking about, defending those errors.”

O’Connor had been Rhinos’ lone hooker for the previous five games after Danny Levi suffered a neck injury during the defeat at Castleford Tigers in July. Levi returned as a second half substitute against Saints, but lasted only 13 minutes before having to be replaced.

Jarrod O'Connor as he looked 150 games ago, during his Leeds Rhinos debut against Catalans Dragons on September 30, 2020. Picture by Paul Currie/SWpix.com.

He isn’t expected to play again this season and O’Connor admitted: “Everyone’s gutted for him. He was so excited to come back, it is a bit heartbreaking for him - I feel for him, so fingers crossed it’s not too bad.”

O’Connor stayed on the field, switching to loose-forward, when Levi joined the action last week and has played the full 80 minutes in six successive matches. With that likely to continue for the rest of the campaign, he insisted: “I’d like to play 80 minutes every week.

“Obviously when you’ve got hookers like Danny in the squad it’s not going to be possible. We knew we were going to share the role this year, it is nice to get a few 80 minutes, but if it’s because of that sort of injury, you don’t want it.”

Last week’s game was O’Connor’s 150th for Rhinos and he admitted he’s “starting to feel old now”. He said: “I keep convincing myself I am one of the young lads, but I think they are starting to push me away - some of them are seven years younger than me now!”

Danny Levi, seen in action against Hull KR in June, is unlikely to play again this year because of a neck injury. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

O’Connor’s debut came in a rain-soaked 34-6 midweek home loss to Catalans Dragons behind closed doors on September 30, 2020 when coach Richard Agar rested all his first choice players ahead of a Challenge Cup semi-final against Wigan three days later. “I was goal kicking,” he recalled.

“We only managed to score one try and it was in front of the sticks, fortunately. Looking back it was probably fortunate there were no fans there - it eased us into it a bit. It seems a lifetime ago. I was telling Hally [Ryan Hall] I am going to be on 300 by the time I am 30, hopefully, then I am going to be pushing for his records.”