Pressure is on Leeds Rhinos to perform in tomorrow’s Magic Weekend derby against Bradford Bulls.
The Betfred Super League leaders are on a five-game winning streak and Sunday’s Sky-televised clash is an opportunity to show a huge crowd at Everton FC’s Hill Dickinson Stadium – and all their rivals - how good they are. It is expected to be the best-attended day in the event’s history and Leeds coach Brad Arthur warned: “That probably puts a bit more pressure on the boys to perform and perform at their best. Other teams are there, other players in the competition are watching and I think that always puts pressure on as well.”
The current seaquence is the fourth time Rhinos have won five successive games since Arthur took charge two years ago, but - so far - they haven’t managed a sixth. However, the coach insisted: “”It’s not about a run.
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Leeds Rhinos coach Brad Arthur. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.placeholder image
Leeds Rhinos coach Brad Arthur. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.
“Week to week at the moment we have got a team that’s reliable on how they turn up. That’s probably all we need to focus on.”
Bulls are 11th in the table, with wins in five of their 16 league games so far. All of those were at home and they gave Rhinos a fright in the Good Friday derby at Odsal when they led at half-time before Leeds pulled away to win 24-12.
Having beaten champions Hull KR and second-placed Warrington Wolves in their past two games, Rhinos will go into Sunday’s match as hot favourites, but Arthur – whose squad is close to full-strength – reckons Bulls are dangerous opposition. He observed: “They are tough, gritty. Every week they go after the game - they came after us nice and hard and we are expecting the best of them.”
This is Arthur’s third Magic Weekend as Leeds coach, after a defeat to Warrington at Elland Road in 2024 and victory against St Helens in Newcastle last season. Overall, Rhinos have won 10 of their 18 fixtures at the event and Arthur said: “I like the idea.
Cooper Jenkins scores for Leeds Rhinos in their 24-12 Good Friday win at Odsal, but coach Brad Arthur admits Bradford Bulls 'came at us hard'. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com.placeholder image
Cooper Jenkins scores for Leeds Rhinos in their 24-12 Good Friday win at Odsal, but coach Brad Arthur admits Bradford Bulls 'came at us hard'. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com.
“When I was back in Australia I thought it was a real good concept, but it was obviously started over here and the NRL copied it. I really like the idea, getting all the fans together in the same place and all the teams.
“Especially at this time of the year when there could be a couple of teams that haven’t got a heap to play for in terms of their fans thinking they aren’t going to be playing finals at the end of the year, I think it gives all the fans a good opportunity to watch other teams and plenty of excitement.
“I think all the boys enjoy it too, that’s probably the main priority. The players really get up for it and get the opportunity to showcase their skills.”
Everton’s new stadium staged rugby league for the first time last year when Great Britain were beaten by Australia in front of a sold out crowd in the second Ashes Test. “It looks like a great place to play,” Arthur noted.
Huge Magic Weekend crowds are expected at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium, seen during last year's second Ashes Test. Picture by Olly Hassell/SWpix.com.placeholder image
Huge Magic Weekend crowds are expected at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium, seen during last year's second Ashes Test. Picture by Olly Hassell/SWpix.com.
“It’s an exciting opportunity for these players, you don’t get to play on a soccer pitch very often - and a new one. That’s another nice thing for the players.”
That said, the coach stressed: “It is just another ground we have got to play on. It’s a great stadium, but it’s more about us being that reliable team and how we turn up. Regardless of where we play, we’ve got some standards and expectations we need to meet.”
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