Thursday 4 September 2014 12:45, UK
Brian McDermott admits the winner of Friday night's crucial clash between Wigan and Leeds will get a massive lift ahead of the end-of-season play-offs.
Third-placed Warriors host Leeds, three positions below Wigan, at the DW Stadium as positioning in the top eight hots up.
Last year's Grand Final winners have scored the most points this season while the opposing Rhinos have conceded least ahead of the penultimate round of regular league fixtures.
Leeds coach McDermott told Sky Sports News HQ: "(It's) two good teams, I know that sounds simple but Wigan have challenged and won some honours in the last two, three years. Leeds (also) have certainly done that and what you've got there is two top teams, going for it, (and) the desire to get to the Grand Final and win it.
"Obviously if we can get two points off them on Friday night it helps us and gets us further up the league ladder which is huge for us at the moment.
"Wigan are probably in the same boat. I know the result didn't go their way last weekend in horrible conditions in Widnes and it didn't go our way either so it's going to be two very determined, committed teams."
McDermott insisted Leeds, Grand Final winners six times since taking their first in 2004, still had to improve in attack, and defence, ahead of the mouth-watering encounter.
He said: "We've conceded little points, which is great and that makes good reading but there's always things we can be better at. We would like to be better in attack, a bit better in the tackle.
"Put (good defence) down to a bit of practice, continuation of some of the systems that you've had in place for two or three places, players (gaining) a better understanding.
"Probably the single thing, you can't really plan for or coach, is a bit of desire, bit of determination from the players to not to concede a try.
"You know people talk about our great defence, (but) we concede a fair few breaks, we just don't let them get converted into tries too often which is something to be proud of but we've got to stop them maknig the breaks in the first place."
Watch Wigan v Leeds on Sky Sports 1HD from 19.30 on Friday night
