Hull will provide true guide as to how Rhinos have recovered

The veteran Samoan, who will ‘double up’ just 48 hours after helping the Exiles defeat England, has won four Grand Finals since joining from Manly in 2007.

Leeds have struggled to continue their stranglehold this term and fell as low as ninth before three successive wins against Wakefield, Castleford and London raised hopes of recovery.

Seventh-placed Hull only trail them on points difference, though, and Leuluai believes the East Yorkshire club will provide their sternest examination yet.

“We’ve had a great five years and to pick yourself up again to find those levels, it’s really hard,” he explained to the Yorkshire Post.

“Some people think it’s easy to back up again and again but to get those standards is difficult.

“I wouldn’t call it complacency but we just need to spark up once more. We’ve had three wins which is a positive but the opposition wasn’t that great.

“Hull have been playing well this year, though, and had a good start to the season.

“They’ll be the toughest of the lot but, hopefully, we can keep building this momentum and confidence in both our defence and attack.

“We’ve crept up on a few of these clubs and we just need to keep winning and get those points on the board. If you finish in the top eight you always have a chance.”

Indeed, with fifth-placed Huddersfield, Leeds and Hull all locked on 22 points, and St Helens just a couple ahead, the jostling for finishing spots will now begin in earnest.

Leuluai, 34, recently announced he would shelve plans to retire at the end of the season and play on into 2013 at Headingley.

It is no surprise given the consistency of his performances, noted again by his selection for the Exiles.

He played for 30 minutes off the bench so will remain relatively fresh for the visit of Hull, who had Willie Manu on Exiles duty themselves as well as Tom Briscoe for England.

Leeds are mindful they have a Challenge Cup semi-final looming against Wigan Warrriors a week tomorrow but Leuluai said: “We’re not thinking about that yet.

“We need a big game this week to then build up next for Wigan, who have been outstanding this year.

“A lot of players told me, though, that the semis was a reason they pulled out of the England v Exiles match.

“It makes it like another Easter period but I wanted to play again and loved it.”

Hull have been hit with injuries once more, meaning assistant coach Lee Radford could be called out of retirement for the second time this term.

Second-row Danny Tickle and prop Sam Moa have both been ruled out for the season with bicep injuries, and fellow prop Mark O’Meley and hooker Danny Houghton remain sidelined.

Front-row Radford, 33, is set to feature again after coming to the rescue for three games over Easter and coach Peter Gentle said: “Lee has been chomping at the bit ever since he last played for us. That is the sort of character he is and he still leaves his boots in the coaching office all cleaned up just in case. He is the perfect person to have around the place at a time like this.

“He keeps himself fit, strong and his enthusiasm and commitment when he plays makes up for any shortfalls in training or match fitness.

“I’m under no illusions he can go into our team and do a job for us, just like he did earlier this season.”

Meanwhile, Ryan McGoldrick is understood to be on his way to Hull to help bolster their decimated squad after the Australian utility back was surprisingly released by Castleford Tigers on Wednesday.

Gentle has space on the salary cap after he recently allowed prop Eamon O’Carroll to join Widnes Vikings and scrum-half Jamie Ellis was also released early from his contract.