McDermott expecting tough cup tie
Leeds coach Brian McDermott is expecting a tough time in their Challenge Cup fourth round tie against Castleford, one of only two all-Super League clashes this weekend.
The Rhinos have been drawn against top flight opposition at this stage for the fifth consecutive year as they set out on the road to reach Wembley for a fourth successive season.
The last time they played a Championship team in the fourth round was Celtic Crusaders back in 2008, although they did face Leigh in last season’s quarter-finals and Blackpool Panthers in the fifth round in 2010.
McDermott said: “It’ll be a tough one, because Castleford have beat us already in the league this year. We know they can get up for a game and they’ve got some fantastic players.
“We are one of only two Super League draws, but that’s what we’re used to. The positives are that we play at home, and it’ll be a big fixture in front of our own fans, and hopefully the Castleford fans will travel in numbers and make it a really big event.”
In 2011, the two sides met at the semi-final stage, with Leeds coming out on top 10-8 after extra time. They went on to lose to Wigan in the final, sandwiched by two further final appearances in which they have been beaten by Warrington at Wembley (in 2010 and 2012).
The Challenge Cup trophy is one piece of silverware that has evaded their grasp in recent years, with their last triumph coming back in 1999.
McDermott added: “Yeah it is (something we think about), but it’s not something that we’re embarrassed by either.
“We keep getting asked about, saying that we haven’t got the greatest run in the Challenge Cup, but I don’t agree with that, I think we’ve got a great run in the cup, we keep getting through to the final and just falling at the final hurdle. It’s the teams that are getting bumped out in the first and second round that aren’t having a good run.
“While we don’t have the W next to our name, the club is pretty successful within this competition, so hopefully we can get there again.”
