Leeds Rhinos have spent the majority of the Super League season flying high. They have spent the majority of it in top spot. Heading into crunch time, they finished second on the back of two sobering defeats.
In what was effectively the battle for the League Leaders' Shield, Wigan Warriors wiped the floor with Leeds in a 40-8 drubbing. Wigan then completed the formality and wrapped up the domestic double with a 50-12 win over Catalans, keeping a treble firmly in their sights. Meanwhile, Leeds finished with an 18-12 loss to Hull FC who will finish the season in 11th.
It is not the time to run out of steam - Leeds now have a week's rest to figure out how to reset, recharge, and head into the semi-finals reinvigorated. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player They will know who they face once Wakefield Trinity play Leigh Leopards on Friday September 18 and Warrington Wolves face Hull KR on Saturday September 19 in the Eliminators, live on Sky Sports. They need to welcome their semi-final opponent to Headingley and make them feel like they are entering a fortress.
Leeds head coach Brad Arthur admitted that very element was missing in Round 27 and said it was simply "not good enough". "We were a bit erratic at times. Some of our skill with the ball was very poor," Arthur said.
"We created more than enough opportunities. More than enough field position. Our forwards did more than enough on our edges and we were poor on our edges without execution." It is clear that Arthur knows what the issues are but is there an easy fix?
He believes that will be down to individuals stepping things up and making sure, for one final time in 2026, that Headingley is too tough for whoever has to visit to ensure Leeds make it to Old Trafford for the first time since 2022. "It's an individual thing. We created enough chances and had enough field position," he added.
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