'We can’t embarrass ourselves': why home form vital for Leeds Rhinos as St Helens pose huge test
Boss Brad Arthur insists there will be no thirst for revenge - or dwelling on the past - when Leeds Rhinos square up to St Helens at AMT Headingley this evening (Thursday).
Saints inflicted one of the most painful defeats in Rhinos’ Super League history the last time the sides met, scoring a try after the final hooter to snatch a 16-14 win in an elimination play-off at Headingley. That ended Leeds’ season and left players and fans alike shattered, but Arthur reckons today’s game is big enough for his team not to need reminding of what happened nine months ago.
“It’s a cliche, but honestly we haven’t talked about it as a squad,” he insisted. “It may still be there in the back of guys’ minds as an extra motivational driver, but it's not for me. There’s enough about the context of the game and occasion this week.
“Being at home and just wanting to win every week is enough for me. I think it's the same with the playing group - we can’t get caught up on emotion.”
The result last September wasn’t an isolated setback for Leeds who have lost 21 of their past 23 games against Saints, including eight in succession at Headingley. Rhinos last beat the Merseyside outfit at AMT Headingley in August, 2017, but have won all six fixtures there so far this year.
“I wasn't aware of that,” Arthur said of Leeds’ disastrous home run against this evening’s visitors. “I’m not going to mention it to the boys, but I’m sure someone else down the track might have. It’s not so much about the win and loss record at home; that’s very important, but the manner of how we play and go about our business is what is important to me and the team.
"You’re at home and can’t have teams coming here and disrespecting or embarrassing you - and we can’t embarrass ourselves in front of our fans. There's a certain level of expectation when we’re getting 15,000-plus fans. That’s our job and what we've got to do.”
June could be a defining month for the current Betfred Super League leaders who play the three sides immediately below them. After today’s Sky Sports-televised clash with third-placed Saints they travel to struggling Toulouse Olympique, then visit Warrington Wolves before a massive home showdown with Hull KR.
“It’s big,” Arthur accepted. “Every game is crucial, but in particular this block of four games is very important to us. We have done a lot of good work up until now and need to capitalise on the position we have put ourselves in.
“I am extremely excited about it because I want to see where we’re at and how we handle it. That's the interesting thing for me. Anything we struggle with or get wrong, we have got opportunity and time to work on it before the back end of the season. It couldn’t have come at a better time. It’s exciting - these are the games you want to be a part of."