Brad Arthur refuses to hide behind Jake Connor injury as Leeds Rhinos' home play-off hopes take huge hit
Leeds Rhinos head coach Brad Arthur has urged his side to quickly put their shock defeat to Catalans Dragons behind them and take their second opportunity to secure home advantage in the play-offs.
The Rhinos needed only a point to guarantee a top-four finish heading into the penultimate round but could now drop as low as fifth after a damaging night at Headingley.
A win for St Helens at Leigh Leopards on Friday would leave Leeds' hopes of a first home play-off tie since 2017 in real jeopardy.
"We had an opportunity tonight, we've let it go and it's disappointing," said Arthur, whose side travel to Wigan Warriors in the final round.
"The club and everyone deserves better but unfortunately we can't do anything about it right now. The only thing we can do is respond.
"We've seen a couple of those performances this season. Our losses look the same. We were in a position where we can probably win the game but we find ways to lose it.
"It's disappointing because I don't know where it's come from. We can’t beat ourselves because that's what we did."
Leeds were protecting a five-match winning run against the lowly Dragons but lacked composure throughout in a frenetic display.
Although late tries from Ryan Hall and Brodie Croft gave them hope, the Rhinos were never at their best without Jake Connor.
Arthur, however, refused to blame the 16-8 defeat on Connor's untimely rib injury.
"Jake's been nice and composed, especially over the last five or six weeks," said Arthur, who has backed the playmaker to do "everything possible" to be fit for next week's trip to Wigan. "He's grown into that role really well.
"But that shouldn't be an excuse for us. Some guys tried way too hard to make things happen rather than letting it happen and working at it."