Wakefield Trinity v Leeds Rhinos – Mikolaj Oledzki hunting for more silverware

Alongside fellow forwards Bodene Thompson, Brad Dwyer and Cameron Smith, Oledzki is one of four Rhinos players preparing for a fourth game in 10 days when Leeds face Wakefield Trinity at Mobile Rocket Stadium, Belle Vue, tomorrow.

The rematch will come three days after Rhinos were crushed 30-6 by Trinity at St Helens.

The Coral Challenge Cup holders remain fifth in Betfred Super League, but Thursday’s defeat was a hammer blow to their chances of breaking into the play-offs.

They could, however, still qualify if the format is changed and Oledzki insisted: “That is still our goal.

“We have managed to get one trophy this year and we are hungry for more. We are going to do everything we can, everything in our control, to get into that top-four – or whatever the structure is for the play-offs.

“Our aim is to make the play-offs and compete to get on to the big stage.”

Rhinos have had a tougher schedule than their rivals, but Oledzki insisted they aren’t looking for excuses.

“We are quite lucky because we have got a lot of young players coming through,” he added.

“A lot of players are stepping in and putting their hand up to play and they are doing a great job for us.

“I think as a club we have all stuck together. It doesn’t matter how tough it has been or how many things we’ve had thrown at us, everyone has shown up every week and given it their all.

“That’s all you can ask for. It is not easy backing up every three days, but we are in that position. That is not in our control, all we can do is turn up and give our all.”

Trinity are now on a three-match winning run – after 10 successive defeats – and will go into tomorrow’s return in confident mood, but Oledzki insisted: “It is a good opportunity for us as well, to put a few things right.

“Our boys will do everything to recover, we’ll have a team run [today] and we’ll get ready for Sunday.”

Rhinos will again be without Tom Briscoe, Konrad Hurrell, Matt Prior and Richie Myler who have been ruled out, potentially for the rest of the season, under the test and trace protocol after 13 of Castleford Tigers’ side tested positive for coronavirus following their defeat by Leeds on Monday. Tigers’ game at Huddersfield Giants yesterday was postponed and their return match with Leeds in six days’ time is also in doubt.

“We have done everything as a club we could to keep Covid out of our camp,” Oledzki said.

“We have done a great job so far, we have only had one person throughout the whole year who has had Covid, which I think is great for us.

“We have done everything possible to stay safe and we are quite accountable to each other. It is frustrating, but it is just one of those things – you can’t control Covid and sometimes you have to deal with it.”

Oledzki was in Rhinos’ starting side for the defeats by St Helens and Wakefield and on the bench for the meeting with Castleford.

He has been included in Rhinos’ latest 21-man squad and stressed he is happy to put his hand up again.

“I feel okay,” the 21-year-old England Knights man said. “I am a bit sore, but that’s just what you expect after every game. I will be ready to go on Sunday.”

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