Super League: Leeds Rhinos determined to bounce back from disappointments of 2014

There are still nine weeks to go until the start of the new Super League campaign - but the hard work starts now for the Leeds Rhinos, reports Sky Sports News HQ’s Ben Ransom.

The players have already reported for pre-season training to make sure they can build on a bittersweet 2014.

It all looked rosy in August when the Rhinos beat West Yorkshire rivals Castleford at Wembley to lift the Challenge Cup - ending a run of six losing finals in the process. 

But the success coincided with a slump in league form.  The Wembley win came amongst a run of six consecutive defeats in Super League, culminating in the disappointing home loss to the Catalans Dragons in the playoffs. 

“When the whistle blew and it was over, you thought wow, the off-season is now,” hooker Rob Burrow said. “It’s come two or three weeks earlier than planned.” 

Burrow is recovering from a groin injury that has been holding him back since last season, but he is making good progress in the gym and can’t wait to be outside joining in with the rest of the squad.

“I came back a month early to get myself fit as quickly as possible,” he added. “It means I’ve been doing lots of weights and cycling, and I will be fit for the start of the new campaign.”

The gym at their Kirkstall training base is a busy place at this time of year. They share it with Yorkshire Carnegie - the rugby union side - and there is no winding down for Christmas. 

Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield is also being forced to work indoors after a knee operation.  Like Burrow, he is committed to being 100% fit for the first match of the season.

“We’re a club that is very hungry and highly motivated,” he told us after a 40 minute workout.  The most successful captain of the Super League era believes their will to win is what will set them apart in 2015.

“If you see the amount of Grand Final rings, and now Challenge Cup medals, that are littered about the group it just makes you even hungrier to go and win more,” he said.

Sinfield has led the Rhinos to six Grand Final victories - the latest in 2012 - and was recognised for his achievement a couple of weeks ago by collecting an MBE. 

“It was very humbling to drive through the gates at Buckingham Palace and collect what is a tremendous honour,” he admitted.  “I’m the second in the group to get one and so far I’ve escaped too much of the stick off of the other lads!"

The only new arrival for 2015 is Australian prop Adam Cuthbertson, who joined from the Newcastle Knights with Ryan Bailey (Hull KR) and Ian Kirke (Wakefield Trinity Wildcats) both departing in the off-season. 

However, there could be more to come with Hull FC's highly-rated Joe Westerman being linked with a move - despite denials from his club. 

Cuthbertson can be in no doubt as to the ambitions of the Rhinos, with reminders of their recent Super League successes all around the training ground.  Leeds might not have won a Grand Final for two years, but the players and coaching staff hope an early start and some hard yards will put them in the perfect position to add another title by this time next year.