Leeds Rhinos: We are in game-by-game mode ahead of derby - Mac

WARY Leeds Rhinos chief Brian McDermott insists his squad will continue with a 'game-by-game' mentality as they strive to secure successive wins for the first time this season.
Brian McDermottBrian McDermott
Brian McDermott

They make the short trip to Wakefield Trinity tonight having not delivered consecutive victories since last October’s Grand Final win.

Leeds remain bottom of Super League with just five games remaining of the regular campaign and an enforced break next week due to their absence from the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

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Asked if he could now start thinking strategically having won for the first time in eight matches last week, McDermott said: “We’re in a game-by- game mentality at the moment .

“We got the win against Salford last week but have had to quickly turn attention to this Friday.

“We have to gain some momentum and get some more foothold in the door before we start thinking about things strategically.

“Optimism, belief and people buying in, have never been problems.

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“Getting people on the training field has been a problem but we’ve had more numbers training down at the last couple of sessions.

“We’ve been down at Kirkstall (training base), too, for the first time since it was flooded at Christmas.

“There’s no showers or offices but the players were able to train on a newly-grassed field so there’s been a lot of positives this week.”

One of those is the imminent return of England winger Ryan Hall who may be passed fit after a long-running ankle problem suffered in March. Ryan Hall will have a late fitness test (Friday) and may well feature,” added McDermott.

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“It’ll be great to have him in the fold although what he will give in game one I’m not sure. If fit, he will benefit from playing and if he offers something then that’s great.”

Rhinos are still without Tom Briscoe, Brett Delaney and Stevie Ward for tonight’s derby.