Hall not expecting Rhinos repeat

Ryan Hall does not expect Leeds to produce a second successive poor performance as they look to bounce back from last weekend’s loss to Wakefield against St Helens on Friday (Leeds 8/13, St Helens 11/8, draw 22/1 – match betting).

A defeat to the Saints, coupled with a Hull FC win against the Huddersfield Giants, will see the Rhinos drop out of the top two positions in the Betfred Super League following a poor away day at Wakefield last Thursday when they went down to 38-6 defeat.

St Helens go into the game fifth in the standings on the back of a narrow 8-6 defeat to Hull FC last week and in need of a victory to keep their top four ambitions alive.

Hall admits the game is a pivotal contest and is confident that his side won’t repeat the same sort of poor performance that saw them leave Belle Vue empty handed last week.

“We didn’t play very well, but we did against Wigan the week before. We need to produce a performance like that, rather than last week’s.

“It is a big game. A lot of people are saying we don’t need to do a lot more to stay in the top-four, but we are not really bothered about that. We want to finish second. Obviously top has gone now, but we want to get a home semi-final.”

The Rhinos (4/1 Super League Grand Final outright) take on the Saints for what will be the last game in front of the existing South Stand, which is set to be demolished and replaced with a new two tier structure at Headingley.

A temporary stand will be built along the north touchline but the stadium will be reduced to a capacity of 13000 while the developments are ongoing, and Hall admits he will miss the atmosphere of the South Stand.

“It is going to be weird for the remaining home games, but when the new stand’s built I am sure all the fans will embrace it” said Hall, who plays his 300th game for Leeds on Friday.

Odds subject to change.