We'll hit the ground running - JJB upbeat over Leeds Rhinos' Super League chances

Rhinos were beaten 30-4 by Hull in Betfred Super League round one, but then went on their best run of results since 2017, winning four successive games during which they scored 176 points and conceded only 30.

Their final match before the shutdown began was a 66-12 thrashing of their former coach Brian McDermott’s Toronto Wolfpack side, which lifted them briefly into top spot on the table.

With two games in hand, they are third, two points behind Wigan Warriors and Castleford Tigers and boast the competition’s best attack and defence.

“It is unfortunate really,” Jones-Buchanan admitted of the long stoppage, which is expected to end in August.

“The form we were in, we were playing some pretty good rugby and I just hope we can come back with the same mindset and be positive about where we’re at and carry on from where we left off.”

Players at all clubs have been training alone since March, on a voluntary basis.

Teams are expected to have a brief ‘pre-season’ before matches resume, but coaches won’t be given long to get players back up to speed.

Jones-Buchanan said: “I have been through every single tackle and ruck we have been involved in during the first five games.

“I am beginning to think about what we can do and beginning to get excited about when it starts again.

“We will need to remind the boys of what we’ve been really good at this year and where we can continue to kick on.”

Of how players will cope after such a long layoff, Jones-Buchanan predicted: “It’s going to be the same for everybody, but it will be interesting to see the physical contact side of it.

“That was always my favourite as a player, I loved the bash and the bosh and running into people, but after all this time off you get a little bit wincy about running full pelt into people when you are doing coaching drills.

“There’s a bit of conditioning to get our heads around, but [coach] Rich Agar has been brilliant. I speak to him a lot, he is a really smart coach and a proper rugby league fan.

“He will turn over every stone and the boys, as far as I am aware, have worked really hard in keeping themselves fit and healthy and ready to come back and hit the floor running again.”

Rhinos’ management have focused on rebuilding team spirit after two disappointing seasons and Jones-Buchanan feels the upbeat mood among the players will stand them in good stead.

“Sometimes people can underestimate the power of enthusiasm, zeal and excitement,” he said.

“Especially in our outside-backs, we have got some young boys and the speed they are moving at to get where they need to be, some of the plays they’ve been putting on, the understanding they’ve got about their roles - which is down to Rich - and the buy-in they’ve had from working hard and defending for each other, it is really nice to see.

“We’ve looked like we are turning a bit of a corner and getting back to some Leeds teams of the past.

“I am really excited about these young boys and there’s no reason why we can’t kick on strong.”

Jones-Buchanan’s glass is always half-full and he has had no problem coping with lockdown.

“My favourite people in the world are my wife and my favourite house is my home,” he said.

“I have been spending all day, every day with my wife and my kids in my home so I am always looking on the bright side.

"Plus there’s a bit of movement now towards when we are going to be back so there is a bit of hope on the horizon.”

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