Arthur-inspired Leeds boost playoff hopes with win

[Pelican Press 0]

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Arthur-inspired Leeds boost playoff hopes with win

Leeds Rhinos have kept their Super League play-off hopes alive with a stirring 18-6 comeback win over Catalans Dragons at Headingley.

Leeds’ first game following the announcement that interim coach Brad Arthur would take charge for 2025 saw them come from 6-0 down in the first half to register a vital victory, thanks to second-half tries from David Fusitu’a, Matt Frawley and Lachie Miller.

The Rhinos move up into seventh spot and 24 points, leapfrogging Leigh Leopards, putting them now just two points below both Catalans and Salford Red Devils in the table.

But Arthur says he is not talking about the race for the top six with his players as they look to sneak into the play-offs as they face a series of must-win games.

“We haven’t talked it about and we’re not going to talk about it moving forward,” Arthur insisted.

“We know every game is important. Psychologically in the back of their mind the boys know how important it is.”

Arthur was pleased with how his team fought back from a 6-0 deficit in the second half and controlled proceedings.

“We showed good composure,” he said.

“Early in the game we were a bit frantic and side to side to score points. We came out in the second half settled and got back to our work.”

Pressure is mounting on the Dragons to stay in the top six after another lacklustre display, their third defeat in their past four matches.

But Catalans Dragons coach Steve McNamara ******** confident his team will make the play-offs.

“We’re in the position where we’ve got the advantage. Regardless of whether Leigh win at the weekend, we’re in front of those. We’re in the six.

“And if we win games we’ll stay in the six – simple as that. This week was a huge concern, based on the amount of available players and those who could have dropped out, it was a massive concern.

“But I can’t believe how well they came together today- and put that effort in. We’ll have to patch them up this week but I’m not concerned.

“We’re in a strong position, we’re a strong club, we’ve got good players and we’ll keep going and put ourselves in the playoffs at the end of the year.”

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