Leeds want to win Super League from the top

Leeds coach Brian McDermott says his side want to finish top of the table after they hit first place in Super League after the Easter programme.

Due to the current play-off system, much has been said about the importance, or rather the lack of it, of league position come the end of the season, and the Rhinos themselves have been a beneficiary, winning the Super League title from fifth place in recent years.

But after watching his side see off Salford 32-4 on Monday, to go top of the table following St Helens‘ defeat at Widnes, McDermott said it was something they wanted to keep hold of.

He said: “We’re proud to be top. The task now is to hold that position.

“I’d be a liar if I said ‘yeah, it doesn’t really matter.’ It does matter. We’d like to be top and win the league from the the front.

“It’s an old cliche, but there’s a hell of a long way to go, the challenge is to keep hold of it, which we know is going to be incredibly hard.”

McDermott also shrugged off complaints over the hectic Easter schedule.

His side scored 78 points and conceded 10 in their two games, maintaining their superb defensive record which has seen them ship an average of just eight points per game so far.

He said: “It’s absolutely unbelievable what preparation these fellas have now, compared to how it used to be.

“We know it’s (Easter weekend) coming, you plan accordingly, and it is a challenge.

“But we’re in the entertainment industry. If the fans love two games over the Easter and it fills grounds out, it pays people’s wages and I understand why it happens.

“They are incredible blokes who play our game, and backing up needs to be applauded.”

Meanwhile, Leeds are waiting for news on an injury suffered by Stevie Ward in Thursday’s win over Bradford, with fears he could have broken a bone in his foot.