Warrington Wolves v Leeds Rhinos: Captain Watkins targeting a fast start

For the eighth time in 14 years Rhinos are going into the season as defending champions – and they are desperate to fare better than the most recent occasion.

In 2016 Leeds – a year after winning the treble – lost their opening game at home to Warrington and went on to finish ninth in the top flight, having to secure their Betfred Super League status through the Qualifiers.

That was one of the most disastrous seasons in the club’s history, but two years later new captain Kallum Watkins is confident they are in a much stronger position.

“We are in good shape, pre-season has gone well,” said the England centre who is beginning his 11th season in Super League.

“It has been tough, but it has been good. We’ve focused on things we needed to work on from last year. Last year has gone now and we are on to a new journey.

“We’re just looking forward to getting started and getting playing. The team and the group are going well, we are working hard and we’re ready for the first game.”

Though Warrington finished ninth last year, it is a tough start for Leeds, who have not won a Super League game at HJ Stadium since 2010.

The hosts are under a new coach, Steve Price and Watkins warned: “It is really important to start well and that will give us great confidence.

“We know it’s going to be a tough road, but that’s what we are willing to deal with. If we start well it will help us build up to the World Club Challenge, which is a massive event.

“We want to be successful and win that, so the start of the year is really important to us. We’ve struggled at times to get results at Warrington so that’s another challenge for us, to get that right.

“We are going to be coming up against a good side who will be well coached, but we are just looking forward to getting going. We are confident in what we are doing.”

Watkins admitted he can’t put a finger on why Rhinos have such a poor recent record at Warrington. He said: “When we’ve gone there we haven’t performed. They have been the better side, but for us we need to start the game well – not dip our toe in, go in full pelt and give it the best we’ve got.

“As long as we are doing our job as a team, we’re just looking forward to being out there and playing well. We just need to perform to the best we can.

“Obviously it is early in the year so we know there’ll be things that might not go so well, but the stuff we have been working on throughout pre-season we need to put into action in the game.”

Rhinos will not be reading anything into Warrington’s 2017 form. Leeds bounced back from their similar season two years ago by winning the Grand Final and Watkins predicted: “They have gone through the middle-eights and they’ll be thinking they don’t want to be in that position again.

“They’ll be a determined group and they’ll want to start off well. It is going to be an interesting game and an exciting one and, hopefully, it’ll set alight the new season.”

Rhinos are just 15 days away from their world-title match with Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park, so will that be a distraction?

“It is in our minds, of course it is,” Watkins said. “It is the ultimate test and we want to be successful at it. It is a hard place to get to, you have to win your own competition to be in it, but we are focused on doing well in each game.

“Obviously that game is coming close, but if we can perform well in the Warrington and Hull KR games leading up to it, it will help us gain confidence. Melbourne is an exciting challenge for us as a club and the games are massive in terms of that.”

Tonight’s game is Watkins’ first since being appointed captain last month.

“It’s really exciting,” he said. “To be captain is a huge honour and I have to back myself, that’s a big thing.

“Going into a fantastic side like we’ve had for the past 10 years, with leaders like Kev [Sinfield] and JP [Jamie Peacock] and the likes of Magsy [Danny McGuire] and Rob [Burrow], it has always been an honour to be part of that team and to gain experience and develop as a man and a player as well.

“That has helped me get to this position. I know it is a big task and a big challenge, but you’ve just got to take it with both hands and enjoy the ride.

“Hopefully it is going to help me progress as a player as well. The important thing for me is to lead this side as best as I can and be myself.

“That’s what it’s all about. If I do that, I have got a lot of help – guys who could have been in the same position I am now.

“That is huge for the club. What we’ve been through for the past two years has helped to build that, players have gone and people have had to develop and grow pretty quickly. The 2016 season was a huge factor in terms of us winning the Grand Final last year.

“It showed the experience the guys have gained and the leadership that has grown in this team.

“It is only going to be better for us in the future.”