Leeds Rhinos head coach Rohan Smith says his team will have to be “very good” to defeat Wigan Warriors when they visit Headingley on Thursday evening (Leeds 16/5, Wigan 1/4, Tie 22/1 – Match Winner 80 minutes)
The Rhinos arrive into this game on the back of a disappointing 20-6 loss away at 11th-place Toulouse (11/10 – Finish Bottom) last weekend.
In a game played in sweltering conditions, Leeds went 14-0 down at half time and they didn’t improve much after the break, with Brad Dwyer scoring their only try in the second period.
It meant the West Yorkshire outfit’s inconsistent season continued with the club sat ninth in the Betfred Super League standings, having won only seven of their 19 games so far.
A tough test awaits on Thursday as Wigan (3/1 – Grand Final Winner) travel to Yorkshire looking to close the gap on leaders St Helens to two points.
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The Warriors were in brilliant form last time out with a 60-0 annihilation of Hull FC at the DW Stadium – a game that saw Bevan French break the Super League record for most tries scored in a game with seven.
Wigan have also been boosted this week with the news that England international forward Mike Cooper has joined early from Warrington Wolves.
As a result, Smith says Leeds (25/1 – Grand Final Winner) must have their wits about them to get the win.
“They are a high-flying team who are performing well,” said the Australian.
“They’ve got a great blend of experience and young players, some real strike and some tough, hard-working players.
“They know who they are as a team, they’re consistent so we are going to have to be very good to challenge them.”
