McDermott calls for defensive strength from Rhinos

Correspondent

Leeds coach Brian McDermott knows that his team will have to do the basics well if they to beat North Queensland Cowboys to claim the World Club Challenge title at Headingley on Sunday evening.

While the Rhinos are renowned in Super League for playing an expansive and entertaining style, McDermott is well aware that making yards and tackling well are key components in facing an NRL outfit.

“I think if you look at finals over the last year that we’ve played, I think there’s only one final that represents truly how we’ve played over the last year,” he told Love Rugby League.

“In the big games towards the back end of 2015, and in the Grand Final, we need an element of possession, and an element of field position.

“So you can’t get away from those things.

“What gets you there, you can toy with and play about with and maybe adapt as you go along.

“But we’ll have to have a fair respect for possession, and against North Queensland we’re going to have be very strong defensively.”

McDermott is finding motivation in the quest to be crowned as the best club side in the world, should the Rhinos pull off an incredible feat and beat the Cowboys.

“We’re excited. It’s a big occasion to be playing against Australia‘s best team,” he said.

“We have the chance of being regarded as the best team in the world for 12 months, should we win.

“It wasn’t the greatest day of anybody’s career last Sunday, but we’ll deal with that how we should do.”