Leeds Rhinos v St Helens: Super 8s preview
Last Updated: 05/09/15 1:47am
There will be no let-up from Challenge Cup winners Leeds as they step up their bid for more silverware, according to stand-off Danny McGuire.
The Rhinos can expect a heroes' reception when they return to Super League action against reigning champions St Helens at Headingley on Friday night, six days after their record-breaking 50-0 Wembley triumph over Hull KR.
A fourth win of the season over Keiron Cunningham's men would edge Leeds ever closer to the league leaders' shield and improve their chances of completing the treble last achieved by Saints in 2006.
St Helens put a dampener on the Rhinos' homecoming from Wembley 12 months ago by pulling off a 13-12 win at Headingley and Brian McDermott's men went on to lose their other three matches to end the season on an anti-climax.
However, McGuire, who was a tryscorer on his 400th appearance for the club at Wembley, insists Leeds are better prepared for a strong finish to the season this time around.
"It's probably a different situation to last year," McGuire said. "We really put all our eggs into the Challenge Cup basket and ran out of gas a little bit towards the back end.
"We've still got loads to play for and we've been speaking about the next few weeks. We're in a good position, we've got some great players and we're ready to rock and roll for the next part of the year now."
Wilkin back for Saints
McDermott will keep changes to his Cup-winning team to a minimum while Saints are boosted by the return of skipper Jon Wilkin, who has been sorely missed during his six weeks' absence with a broken thumb.
The champions have lost all three matches in the Super 8s since their Cup semi-final defeat by Leeds in July and slipped to fourth place in the table after their home defeat by Huddersfield a fortnight ago.
Cunningham put side's recent slump down to a hangover from their Cup exit but is hoping the week off will help his side get their title defence back on track.
"The break has probably been good for us," Cunningham said. We played in the World Club Challenge and through to the Challenge Cup semi-final so the only week we have missed this season has been the final.
"We have had a hangover since the semi-final and haven't been at the races.
Leeds' back five is probably the best in the world and they have strike across the board. They play carefree and without structure and that makes them hard to defend against.
Keiron Cunningham
"People seem to be saying our season is over but we're happy if people think that. We want to be underdogs and be written off so we can wipe the smirk from a few people's faces.
"We want to be involved in the big games and finals but as much as you feel you deserve to be involved in them, you have to earn the right to be there. We are coming to terms with that as a club.
"Leeds are certainly the benchmark in the competition. They are in a purple patch, playing good football and as a comp we have to try to catch up Leeds.
"Their back five is probably the best back five in the world and they have strike across the board. They play carefree and without structure and that makes them hard to defend against.
"Quite simply you have to be in the game and stay with them to come out with a result."
Leeds Rhinos: Carl Ablett, Mitch Achurch, Tom Briscoe, Rob Burrow, Adam Cuthbertson, Brett Delaney, Mitch Garbutt, Ryan Hall, Zak Hardaker, Jimmy Keinhorst, Kylie Leuluai, Danny McGuire, Joel Moon, Jamie Peacock, Kevin Sinfield, Brad Singleton, Josh Walters, Stevie Ward, Kallum Watkins.
St Helens: Kyle Amor, Travis Burns, Mark Flanagan, Joe Greenwood, Josh Jones, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Tommy Makinson, Mose Masoe, Mark Percival, Greg Richards, Adam Quinlan, James Roby, Andre Savelio, Adam Swift, Luke Thompson, Jordan Turner, Alex Walmsley, Luke Walsh, Jon Wilkin.
Watch St Helens v Leeds live on Sky Sports 2 HD from 7.30pm on Friday. Catch the match for £6.99 on NOW TV. No contract.
