Cameron Smith learning fast at Leeds Rhinos in order not to miss Grand Final ‘big dance’

FULLY FOCUSSED: 
Leeds Rhinos' Cameron Smith. Picture: Jonathan GawthorpeFULLY FOCUSSED: 
Leeds Rhinos' Cameron Smith. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe
FULLY FOCUSSED: Leeds Rhinos' Cameron Smith. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe
There can be few players as keen to push on and reach a Super League Grand Final as Leeds Rhinos’ Cameron Smith.

The young loose forward is in the squad for their sudden-death play-off game against Catalans Dragons at Halliwell Jones Stadium tomorrow night.

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Double-chasing Leeds, who finished fifth, are desperate to make the most of their chance after the play-offs were extended from top-four last week.

However, that is especially so for Smith given it was only a few weeks ago that he suffered the heartbreak of being left out of the Rhinos squad that won the Challenge Cup final at Wembley.

He said: “I was absolutely gutted not to play. Timing was a big factor. Coming back from a broken jaw didn’t help and there were a couple of key factors that made me miss out. But it made me realise how hungry I am to hopefully go on and get to the big dance at the Grand Final.

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“There’s plenty I need to work on in my game: I’m still young, still learning and it’s the willingness to do so now as I’ll never ever want that to happen to me again.

“It’s made me realise there’s tonnes for me to focus on and nothing is ever guaranteed. I know I’ll do everything I can now to make sure I can get some silverware.”

Leeds are without second-row Alex Mellor who completes a two-game ban tomorrow as well as forwards Adam Cuthbertson – who pipped Smith to a place at Wembley but was injured in the win over Salford Red Devils – and young prop Tom Holroyd.

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MISSING IN ACTION: Adam Cuthbertson pipped Cameron Smith for a place in the Leeds Rhinos' Challenge Cup Final line-up, above, but is out through injury. Picture by Ed Sykes/SWpix.comMISSING IN ACTION: Adam Cuthbertson pipped Cameron Smith for a place in the Leeds Rhinos' Challenge Cup Final line-up, above, but is out through injury. Picture by Ed Sykes/SWpix.com
MISSING IN ACTION: Adam Cuthbertson pipped Cameron Smith for a place in the Leeds Rhinos' Challenge Cup Final line-up, above, but is out through injury. Picture by Ed Sykes/SWpix.com

Rhinos are looking to repeat their feats of 2011 and 2012 when they claimed the title from fifth spot.

Smith, 22, said: “We’ve spoken about how this could potentially be the greatest journey in the club’s history regarding the adversity and potential things thrown at us this year.

“That could be Covid, not knowing who we’re playing each week, having to restructure for different fixtures.

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“But we’ll just approach this like any other big game and make it about us: make sure everything we do is of the highest standard to help us ensure we get the win.

“Catalans have a big robust pack. They are renowned for bullying teams but people like (Sam) Tomkins, (Israel) Folau and (James) Maloney don’t get chances to show their class if you handle the forwards in the middle of the park and stop them getting a roll on.”

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