Leeds Rhinos: Rhinos can follow the Wildcats' example - McGuire

The club that finished bottom last term and were 10th when head coach Brian Smith resigned after just five games this time around, have been electric over recent weeks, hurtling into the top six.

Defending champions Leeds may now be in the unfamiliar position of bottom themselves but McGuire insists they retain belief they can still go on their own scintillating run to get things moving.

Ahead of Saturday’s Magic Weekend game against Wigan, the veteran stand-off said: “We are low on confidence – there’s no doubting that as you can sense it amongst the lads.

“Obviously, I’ve not played many games this year due to injury. I missed the last five weeks and then played my first back against Cas (52-12 loss) on Thursday.

“It’s tough when you’re not playing and the lads are doing it hard; confidence is a big thing.

“But you only have to look at Hull FC, who are playing really well, and Wakefield, who have won eight out of nine, to see you can really ride that crest when you are confident.

“We just need to find a little bit of form get a win – hopefully starting with Wigan – and then kick-start the season.”

The 33-year-old maintains that, despite only three wins all year, Leeds are not turning on each other.

“Everyone is sticking together and sticking tight – no one’s blaming anyone else,” he added.

“If you point the finger there’s four pointing back at yourself.

“It’s tough but we will keep going with it and this weekend is a great chance to turn things round.”

It is the second year running that Magic Weekend is played at Newcastle United’s stadium after previous stints at Cardiff, Edinburgh and Manchester City.

McGuire, who played during the first when Leeds infamously defeated Bradford Bulls via Jordan Tansey’s controversial try in 2007, said: “I always enjoy the concept.

“It’s always a great weekend and something we do look at when the fixtures come out – when it is, where it will be –whether Cardiff, Manchester Edinburgh…

“I know you do only still get two points for the game but it does feel a bit more like a special occasion.

“It’s good for all the players and I really enjoyed playing at this stadium last year. It should be another good occasion Saturday.”

Their wobble is minor compared to Leeds’ but Wigan have lost their last two games, including Friday’s home defeat to joint-leaders Hull.

McGuire continued: “That makes our job a bit harder – they will be fired up.

“But, at the end of the day, we had 50 points put on us last week so if we need any motivation we’re not in the right job.

“We need to focus on ourselves first and foremost so worrying about other teams won’t do us any good.

“We have to make sure we fix up a lot of areas we’re weak in in at the minute.”