Leeds Rhinos: Wounded Leeds are still dangerous reckons former Headingley hero

FORMER LEEDS hero Gareth Ellis expects his old team to turn their flagging fortunes around.
Gareth Ellis.Gareth Ellis.
Gareth Ellis.

Ellis is set to miss Hull’s visit to Headingley tonight due to a rib injury, but has warned his team-mates not to expect an easy night just because Rhinos are second from bottom in the table.

The second-rower, who was a member of Rhinos’ 2007 and 2008 Grand Final-winning sides, reckons they are still adapting to the loss of Kevin Sinfield, Jamie Peacock and Kylie Leuluai, who all left at the end of last season.

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But he feels Leeds have the players to get their season back on track and it could take just one improved effort to get them up and running.

“It was always going to be hard,” Ellis said of his former club’s transition.

“You will never fill those shoes, but the quality is there.

“Some of the young lads there have shown it before and, though it’s taking a little bit of time to adapt to life without those players, I still expect them to get their season up and running soon.

“Hopefully it’s not against us.”

Hull have climbed to third and are aiming for a sixth straight win and Ellis reckons it is vital they maintain that momentum at a ground where they haven’t won for nine years.

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“It’s massive for us we now carry it on,” said of Hull’s recent form. “We’re bubbling along and it would be great to carry on doing that, riding this wave.

“The squad’s been enjoying it but we know we’re coming up against a Leeds side that will be dangerous.”