A few weeks ago when Harlequins drew, and should have won, at Odsal, this looked a very tricky fixture but since then other than an unexpected victory at Hull they have been garbage, losing at home to Cas and then getting 60 points put past them at the Giants, who are a decent team but not top 4.

This game can only go one way and the bookies agree, though they only give Harlequins 18 points start, I think it should be closer to 30 especially as we have Jamie Peacock back as the only change from the 17 on duty last week and they have massive injury problems with Jon Wells, Rob Purdham, Rikki Sheriffe, Paul Sykes, Mark McLinden, Solomon Haumono, Zebastian Luisi, and Karl Temata all possibly missing they have drafted in some union youngsters to the squad.


This is a good opportunity to improve our points difference still further and keep just those 2 points behind Saints, good weather conditions should help us achieve a healthy victory.


I Predict: Harlequins 16 v Rhinos 48


Come on Leeds!!!

This was always going to be a tough one, Salford look a good solid team this year and with Peacock missing the Rhinos were going to have to put extra effort in, that they did.


St Patrick’s day and the Reds who had half of Ireland in their squad were first to score after 20 minutes after we had managed to keep them out on several occasions prior to that, 0-4 Salford as the kick was missed.
The Rhinos fought back but it took until just before the break to score, Scott Donald going in for his 3rd try of the season following good work by McGuire, Sinfield converted.


HT 6-4


Salford came back at Leeds and scored the first points of the second half when Lengi went over in the corner, unconverted, 6-8 Salford after 50 minutes. The Rhinos hit back on 60 when Chev Walker went over, no conversion but we were back in front 10-8.

Eight minutes later Sinfield set up Danny McGuire to extend the lead but missed the kick so 14-8 but Salford were not done when Finnegan went over, Hodgson again missed the conversion so it was all on again at 14-12 Rhinos.
The game was finally put beyond doubt shortly before the end of the 80 when McGuire went in for his second try of the game, Kevin Sinfield converted to give us that 8 point cushion and moment later the game was over.


FT 20-12



After the Saints game this was definitely our toughest to date and I fancy Salford to make the top six this year if they keep their form for the remainder of the season.

Friday 17th March 8.00pm Headingley



The Rhinos are struggling in the front row after Jamie Peacock was pulled out of the squad with a knee injury.

That will be a big blow to us and my original prediction of a 14 point victory for the Rhinos has been re-considered.
Gareth Ellis is back in the starting 13 after missing the last few matches and I expect Chris Feather to directly replace Peacock as JJB has not made the 17 due to injury, the bench will consist entirely of forwards as coach Smith seeks to cover Peacock's work rate loss.


Salford have lost John Wilshere to a groin injury but other than that they will have the same team that hammered Wakey last week, we will have to pay particular attention to Dunneman, Robinson and Alker.




The bookies are giving Salford a 20 point start which I think is very generous and I will be surprised if we beat them by that many but I still take Leeds to win by 6-10 points.

If it is not already clearly marked in your diary make sure you highlight the 26th August now, that is the day the Rhinos win the first competitive final ever to be played at the new Wembley.



The draw has been reasonably kind to us: away at Leigh on the 2nd April and then only another 3 games and we are there, Hull or Bradford will soon be out of the way and so will Wigan if they do not get there act together sharp, the road is already clearing.


Before the Challenge Cup we have a couple of important SL games: starting with Salford this week. This is going to be tough but I still think Salford are punching slightly above their weight so I am going for a Rhinos victory by 14 points.


These are my predictions for this weekend:


Rhinos 34 v Reds 20

Saints 32 v Bulls 18
Wire 50 v Cats 20

Cas 20 v Wigan 30
Giants 16 v Quins 18

Wakey 20 v Hull 24


Come on Leeds!!!

It was always going to be a case of how many tries we could rack up against opposition who do not look fit enough for SL and who also play safe in the knowledge that they will still be in the league next year.



It didn’t take long for The Rhinos to start the scoring when Danny McGuire went over in the corner the try was converted by Sinfield, who has been kicking brilliantly recently and it was 0-6 Rhinos, within 5 minutes.

It was 0-18 with first Burrow and then McGuire going in again, both converted and at this rate we were looking at SL’s first 200 point haul.


Les Catalans were the next to score though, with Michael Dobson scoring on his debut after playing a 1-2 with a Leeds defender but 4 minutes later Donald was in and it was 6-24 with the conversion, another couple of minutes after that Senior went over 6-30 but we were now only looking at a 120 points
It was another 10 minutes before we scored again and this time it was Chev Walker who picked up a lose ball and went over, Sinfield missed and it was 6-34.

Shortly after this the Cats had a man sent off but they held out to the break.


HT 6-34


Les Cats got the first points of the second half when Murphy went over, the kick was missed so it was 10-34 After 50, we then had to wait a further 10 minutes before The Rhinos got a further try from Diskin, the goal was added 10-40 after an hour.
Ali got the next try after good work by Senior who now seems to be getting some sort of form back again, albeit against inferior opposition over the past fortnight. Rob Burrow then handed Jordan Tansey his debut try under the posts and that was 10-52, Lee Smith finished the scoring in the last minute running the length of the pitch to go under the posts.


FT 10-58


It will be much tougher on Friday night at home to Salford.