Hall aiming for Rhinos repeat show

It is not what the defending champions – who won the Grand Final from fifth last year – envisaged as they started out this term.

They had hoped to dominate from the off and prove their greatness which, in turn, would have seen a heavy represention in this prestigious XIII.

But it is Wigan, with six players, who bossed yesterday’s selection, unsurprising as they finished top with a trio also coming from second-placed Warrington. Hall flies the flag alone for Yorkshire clubs.

Leeds, of course, came in fifth yet again. However, from previous experience, Hall knows full well that this mythical line-up means nothing when it comes to the business of actually winning Grand Finals.

There was not a single Leeds player picked by journalists 12 months ago and everyone knows what happened less than four weeks later at Old Trafford.

But of more concern was Sunday’s 48-24 loss at 12-man Huddersfield Giants, when they needed three tries in the last five minutes to add some gloss on a vastly sub-standard display.

“Huddersfield played really well and we didn’t fire as we could,” said Hall. “One way to look at it is I’m really glad it happened Sunday rather than next week as if it happens then we’re out and that’s the last thing we want.”

Hall refers to Saturday night’s play-off eliminator, when Leeds host Super League’s form team – a Wakefield Trinity Wildcats side who have inconceivably earned seven successive wins.

It is traditionally this time of year Leeds, champions in four of the last five seasons, come into their own but the prolific winger is wary of the threat ahead.

“That’s a record for Wakefield in the recent era and really well done to them for achieving that,” he added.

“They are a good side who beat both us and Saints in those seven games so they’ve shown they do deserve to be in the top eight.

“It will be a really good match at Headingley – I don’t think there’ll be any duds in these play-offs – and we have some revenge to take out on them after that last contest.

“In the two games this year, Wakefield have averaged 40 points against us. They’ve shown they can attack and we’ll have to work on our defence as we shipped 48 points at the weekend.

“We’d rather not be in this situation (starting fifth) where we don’t get a week off like the top four or a second chance. It just puts added pressure on. But as we did it last year we know we can.

“We believe we can and have to have the same mentality. If anything, it will help if we can recall those memories from last year, those dark places we had to go to.”

On his Dream Team selection, Hall added: “It’s a great feeling. It was one of my aims at the start of the year.

“I’m not being big-headed but as an England international you’ve got to aim high.

“I’d been on the list before (in 2009 and 2010), but not last year.

“Anyway, I’ve worked hard this year and fortunately got back in.”

Warrington prop Chris Hill, playing in the Championship with Leigh 12 months ago, has capped a remarkable debut season by becoming one of six newcomers.

The Wigan trio of Josh Charnley, who finished top of the Super League try-scoring list with 31, stand-off Brett Finch and Gareth Hock make the line-up for the first time, along with Warrington centre Ryan Atkins.

The other newcomer is Catalan captain and prop Remi Casty, who becomes the first Frenchman to make the team since it was introduced in 1996.

Elsewhere, ex-Hull FC chief executive James Rule has been appointed to the same role at Widnes Vikings, despite currently serving a suspension imposed by UK Anti-Doping.

Hull have signed Salford City Reds stand-off Daniel Holdsworth, while St Helens are set to announce the capture of young Batley Bulldogs prop Alex Walmsley.

Huddersfield’s Luke O’Donnell has no case to answer for his red card against Leeds after the match review panel deemed he clashed heads with Leeds’s Ian Kirke.

But Wigan’s Michael McIlorum could face a three-game ban for his dismissal and Bradford’s Jarrod Sammut has also been charged to appear before tonight’s disciplinary panel for a high tackle.

Dream League team: Tomkins (Wigan), Charnley (Wigan), Carmont (Wigan), Atkins (Warrington); Hall (Leeds), Finch (Wigan), Dureau (Catalan); Hill (Warrington), Roby (St Helens), Casty (Catalan), Westwood (Warrington), Hock (Wigan), O’Loughlin (Wigan).