The venue for this 12 months’s Betfred Premier League Magic Weekend is as near dwelling as Leeds Rhinos can get with out really being there – even when they’re nominally the ‘away’ crew in opposition to Warrington Wolves.
Elland Highway, dwelling to town’s Leeds United Soccer Membership and simply 4 miles south of Rhinos’ AMT Headingley Stadium, has been acquainted to them over time.
It hosted Leeds’ World Membership Problem wins over the Canterbury Bulldogs and Melbourne Storm in 2005 and 2008, in addition to two Tremendous League video games within the 2018 season. For one more technology, it is going to be remembered that just about 23,000 spectators watched Mul Reilly’s aspect beat Castleford within the 1988 Previous Yorkshire Cup Closing, which was unparalleled for a membership of that period. is a uncommon trophy.
So whereas the choice to maneuver Magic Weekend from Newcastle’s St James’ Park to Elland Highway could not have been universally welcomed, there will likely be no complaints from anybody related to the Rhinos, with captain Cameron Smith relishing the chance.
“I can not wait, it appears like a house sport,” Smith mentioned. sky sports activities. “We’re not too removed from Headlingley and with the hyperlinks between Manchester United and Leeds Rhinos, the individuals of Leeds will need to come right here and assist us.
“Rather a lot has occurred however our preparation remains to be the identical, it is simply one other sport.
“We’re the final sport and we’re used to enjoying late however we are going to give attention to our sport and never different issues.”
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Warrington Wolves’ George Williams and Leeds Rhinos’ Cameron Smith stay up for magic weekend at Elland Highway
Including to the joy for Leeds United is the truth that they go into this sport on the again of a shock 30-4 win over defending champions Wigan Warriors final week.
Saturday’s sport in opposition to Warrington is the ultimate sport on day considered one of Magic Weekend 2024 (7.30pm, dwell on Sky Sports activities Motion) and comes simply 5 weeks after the 2 groups final met, with Wolves at Harry Weir Jones Stadium received 30-18.
It was throughout that sport that Brad Arthur additionally obtained his first take a look at the crew, having been appointed head coach following the departure of Rohan Smith till simply after the tip of the season. Arrival within the nation.
Outcomes have been up and down for the reason that 50-year-old coached NRL aspect Parramatta Eels for greater than a decade – two wins and two losses. Nevertheless, Arthur believes the gorgeous win in opposition to Wigan was an indication of the progress he has seen since becoming a member of the crew.
“We had been on the lookout for an 80-minute effort and I assumed we obtained it,” Arthur instructed us sky sports activities.
“I am dissatisfied that we leaked an try as a result of I really feel like we have finished sufficient. Typically we lack somewhat little bit of element, however we’re getting higher at it and you may see some indicators of it.
“It is exhausting for me to criticize them as a result of they tried their finest.”
Even after beating the Warriors, who swept final 12 months’s rugby league competitors, at Magic Weekend, the Rhinos stay 4 factors adrift of a play-off spot with six video games remaining within the common season.
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Highlights from final Saturday’s Betfred Premier League match between Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors
In Smith’s first season in cost in 2022, the crew made an unbelievable run to the finals, failing to complete within the prime six for the second consecutive 12 months, nearly unthinkable for the eight-time Tremendous League champions, though the final The championship got here out in 2017.
Defeat at dwelling to Wigan and Warrington with title ambitions will go an extended method to boosting their play-off hopes, and free ahead Smith has each purpose to be assured of the Magic weekend.
“I assumed we had been actually motivated and I felt like we should always have had a great win over the previous few weeks,” Smith mentioned.
“We had some good performances however we nearly beat ourselves.
Brad Arthur indicators new contract with Leeds United till the tip of the 2024 season
“We got here into the sport with some confidence and momentum.”
No matter what occurs on Saturday night time, Arthur’s long-term future past this season stays up within the air.
The Australian has been adamant Rhinos gamers want to point out they need him nonetheless on the helm in 2025.
“They should present me that once more this week and the week after that,” Arthur mentioned.
Catch each sport from Betfred Premier League Magic Weekend 2024 on 17-18 August on Sky Sports activities.
Sky Sports activities+ has formally launched and will likely be built-in into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports activities app, permitting Sky Sports activities prospects to look at greater than 50% of dwell sports activities without cost this 12 months. Study extra right here.
