'˜End of an era' but McGuire sticking to his routine

Leeds are preparing to play host to Hull on Friday in a sudden-death Super League semi-final.

It will be McGuire’s final game at Headingley as a Rhinos player and his last for the club if they lose.

His long-time half-back partner Rob Burrow is in a similar situation and Headingley’s North Stand will be demolished after the game.

Rhinos are marketing the tie as “the end of an era”, but Leeds go into it having scored 80 points in their last two fixtures and McGuire insisted they won’t be changing their approach.

“It’s the same again, we have to make sure our preparation’s good,” McGuire said. “We know we are playing Hull now and we have met each other a few times. We have a reasonable record against them recently, but they beat us in the Challenge Cup semi’.

“They have been the best team for the past two years in knockout games, they have got a big pack and they work on the back of [Marc] Sneyd and his kicking game. We will have to front up and meet them head on, especially in the middle. We will just do what we do and prepare well. You are 80 minutes away from the biggest stage so everybody will be ready for it and up for it.”

On a personal note, McGuire added: “I will approach it as I have done all my career. It is another game for me, although there’s more at stake and it will be my last game for Leeds at Headingley. It is going to be strange, but I will deal with it. I will enjoy this week and give it all when I get out there.”

McGuire, who will join Hull KR next season, produced an outstanding two-try performance in last Friday’s 36-12 win at Huddersfield Giants and he reflected: “I feel all right, my body feels good and I am enjoying it. I have really enjoyed this year.

“I knew half way through it was going to be my last year for Leeds and I’ve tried to give as much as possible, as I have always done – I’ve always tried to give my best whenever I’ve put the jersey on. That’s what I’ll be trying to do in the next week or two.”