Leeds Rhinos can start preparing for a Super League play-off semi-final against St Helens or Wigan Warriors after seeing off Catalans Dragons in last night’s eliminator. The 20-10 success over Steve McNamara’s ill-disciplined side maintained the remarkable renaissance that Leeds have enjoyed since Rohan Smith arrived in May.
Here, Leeds Live assesses the talking points surrounding the Rhinos as they bid to move a step towards a ninth Super League title.
Why are Leeds letting Liam Sutcliffe go?
The versatile centre won this match for the Rhinos with three well-taken finishes, two in the first half and a third after the interval. Sutcliffe’s hat-trick underlined his talent but raised further questions over Leeds’ decision to allow him to leave at the end of this season.
The 27-year-old is joining Hull FC and his departure from Headingley has been attributed to salary cap pressures as Smith continues to overhaul his squad. But Sutcliffe’s value is clear to see and, for a player who has given so much to his hometown club during a near decade of service, Leeds’ loss will very much be Hull’s gain.
Sutcliffe, a boyhood Rhinos supporter, will hope to bow out in style by reaching the Grand Final in a fortnight’s time.
The Rhinos are on the march again
When Leeds reached the play-off semi-finals last season, you never really quite believed they could go to St Helens and win. Not really. And so it proved as Richard Agar’s side were beaten 36-8.
But their transformation under Smith has been quite staggering and the way they have emerged as such a potent force under the Australian suggests anything is possible. The Rhinos have been crowned champions from fifth twice before – in 2011 and 2012 under Brian McDermott – and are now aiming to do so again under Smith.
Can the eight-time Super League champions go all the way? You would have your doubts. Then again, you wouldn’t rule it out either. There is an energy and a collective desire about the Rhinos right now and no little skill either. Winning at Wigan or Saints next week will be a mountainous challenge, but write Leeds off at your peril.
Injury concerns ahead of play-off semi-final
Morgan Gannon was forced off against Catalans after a brutal collision with Sam Kasiano which left Leeds’ rising star concussed. The teenager did not return and now seems certain to be ruled out of next week’s play-off semi-final.
That is a cruel blow for a player who has emerged as the most promising young forward in the game this year. Gannon, 18, was shortlisted for the Super League Young Player of the Year earlier this week – a recognition of his rich talent.
Mikolaj Oledzki, another outstanding homegrown academy product, was also injured against the Dragons last night. The Poland-born prop’s arm was in a sling after the game with an apparent shoulder injury but it is hoped he can recover in time for next week.
With key second-rower Rhyse Martin suspended for the play-off semi-final, losing both Gannon and Oledzki would be a crushing blow. Yet Brad Dwyer and Harry Newman could come back into contention as Smith looks to juggle his squad once again.The return of first-choice wingers Ash Handley and David Fusitu’a after injury would be another massive boost.
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