Hall intent on working out best way for Leeds to lift Cup again

There is none of the predictable yarn about a dog devouring his exercise book, or it being accidently thrown out with the rubbish.

No, the Leeds Rhinos winger possibly has a unique answer; principally, the small matter of tomorrow’s Challenge Cup final against Warrington Wolves to contend with as well as a newborn baby boy, who makes as much noise as his father does try-scoring feats.

It is a well-recited fact that Hall is one of the most intelligent players currently in the game and not just because he plays piano and can complete a Rubik’s Cube in the blink of an eye.

‘Rainman’, as he is sometimes known, had earned a place to read mathematics at Leeds University shortly before the city’s rugby league club spotted he had other talents aside from number-crunching.

Hall subsequently made his debut at Millennium Magic in 2007, scoring a try against Bradford Bulls which was the first of a total which has now reached an incredible 137.

Coming from just 154 games, it does not take a great mathematician to work out it is a very impressive strike rate.

Given his stress-free ascension to the England side too, it is little wonder one of his other monikers is WBW – World’s Best Winger.

However, although that degree opportunity had to be turned down, he is not abandoning his education and realises the time will come when running in tries will not pay the bills.

“I’m doing an accountants’ course at Leeds City College,” revealed Hall.

“But it’s become quite hectic at the moment. Harry Hall, named after my grandad, is three weeks old now.

“The trip away to Catalan last weekend was a first night’s sleep I’d had for quite a while but it’s part and parcel of being a parent so I’m happy to do it.

“But I do need to contact my tutor because I think I’ve missed a couple of lessons or something.

“I think I’ve got the wrong timetable. I’m sure we’re on six-week summer holiday just like the schools.

“But (team-mate) Kylie Leuluai’s been doing the same course – he’s almost finished – so knows the same teachers as I do and he says I need to get in contact with them – and start going to lessons!”

There is little, though, he needs to learn about try-scoring. He returns to Wembley tomorrow, the scene of two breathtaking touchdowns scored for England against Australia last November.

But, of course, that day ended in defeat, just as his other two visits there did in the 2010 final versus Warrington and, when he also crossed twice, last season against Wigan Warriors.

Hall, 24, admitted: “Obviously scoring tries is really nice and I can get personal memories from that but ultimately, if my team loses, we’ve failed in the goal we set out to do.

“It’d be nice to continue scoring more tries – but on a winning side this time.

“I’d swap every try to get a Challenge Cup winner’s medal.

“I’ve won everything else in the domestic game so far, but not one of those.”

Exemplary Warrington were simply too good two years ago, but Leeds were far more competitive 12 months back, competing hard while ultimately regretting their slow start against Wigan.

Leeds-born Hall, who has won three Super League titles and a World Club Challenge, offered: “We’re going to learn from last year not to start so poorly and really come out of the blocks.

“We really need to get into the game from the off and not give a team as good as Wigan – or Warrington, for that matter – a 16-0 lead.

“I can’t really explain how that happened. It’s nothing to do with mindset or anything like that. But we’ve got a plan to be the best we can be from the off. Hopefully, it’ll work out that way.

“We’ve given ourselves the perfect chance now to right that wrong. We’ll find out Saturday night.”

Hall accepts Leeds need to recreate the epic performance showcased to defeat Wigan in the semi-finals if they are to end their 13-year wait for cup glory.

“That’s definitely the case,” he said. “Warrington are a really good side and have proved that with their league position and in scoring so many points.

“They are a great attacking team who can really defend as well so they’ve got a great recipe there.

“But hopefully they’ll be thinking the same things about us as well.

“We’re underdogs but that doesn’t really matter. I think every major game we’ve won we’ve been underdogs.”

Meanwhile, Hall’s brace in Perpignan a week ago saw him enter another elite group.

It meant he has scored 30 tries in four successive seasons, an astounding feat achieved by only three players before him in the club’s vast 142-year history.

“There was Eric Harris in the 1930s while Drew Turnbull did it five years on the bounce in the 1950s so I’ve got another target to do there,” Hall smiled.

“Then in the 1970s John Atkinson went four years running so it’s great to be in the history books at Leeds with them and among some great names up on the walls at Headingley.”

Given he signed a five-year deal in January, which will take him through to a testimonial season, it is frightening to think of the records he could go on to break.

But, afterwards, there will be no continuation in the sport – hence the accounting course.

“I don’t think I’m the right build to be a coach,” he said.

“You need to be a certain character and I don’t think I’ve got that side to me.

“It’s well-documented I’m intelligent so I’ll start using that to my best ability.”

But first comes Warrington, an intriguing duel with their similarly prolific Australian wing Joel Monaghan and Hall’s all-consuming desire to finally come up with the answer to that problematic Wembley equation.