Leeds Rhinos count cost of survival fight

After a calamitous campaign, the defending Super League champions are almost certainly set to play among the lesser lights of the Qualifiers and face a potential relegation fight instead of challenging once more for a place at Old Trafford.

They have won their last two games to keep alive faint hopes of making the cut, but remain rooted to the bottom, six points behind eighth-placed Widnes Vikings with just four games to go.

So, instead of Wigan, St Helens and Warrington, Leeds could be hosting the likes of Batley Bulldogs or Featherstone Rovers in the added seven fixtures that come after the 23 regular rounds are completed.

This could impact on the money-making ability of the Rhinos, but Hetherington maintains: “The games are all included in the season-ticket prices so there is no issue there as such.

“We will have done a forecast, but everyone is really cautious when it comes to the play-off games in terms of their financial predictions. It’s always a very conservative effort.

“From a business point of view, when you know you’ll only get three or four games anyway you err on the side of caution and budget for three.

“All other Super League clubs will have budgeted very cautiously, too, for the play-offs and the season-ticket aspect minimises the potential impact. It’s not really a cause of great concern.”

If Leeds stay in the bottom two they will only receive three home fixtures when it comes to the Middle Eights and their crowds could be hit as well,

“There is that but, having said that, Bradford, Featherstone Rovers and Leigh Centurions will all probably have more fans travel to their away games than Salford, Huddersfield or Catalans,” contested Hetherington, referencing three Championship clubs that could be involved.

The other side effect of such a poor season is it may deter players joining the club although movement on that side is likely to be minimal unless transfer-listed Zak Hardaker’s switch to the NRL goes through.

“All bar Mitch Achurch and Beau Falloon are contracted for next year so we have got very little in terms of flexibility for recruitment. That’s why a contracted player of Zak’s ability leaving does free up some potential,” added Hetherington.

Castleford Tigers’ Joel Monaghan is fighting to overcome a hamstring injury ahead of Saturday’s Challenge Cup quarter-final against Wigan Warriors.

The Australian wing/centre pulled up during Sunday’s 24-22 defeat against Hull FC and is a doubt for the game at DW Stadium.

His experience and strike threat will be vital if Daryl Powell’s side are to take a step closer to a second Wembley appearance in three years. Monaghan conceded: “I’ve only done a hammy once or twice before so I’m not sure what state it is.

“It didn’t feel too bad – I just sort of grabbed one – but we will know more during the week.

“It happened just before half-time. Then, having sat down for half-time and trying to run again, it was only going to get worse in the second half. We’ll get it scanned and see.”

Castleford lost a fifth successive home game, but the display against the Super League leaders was far better than their previous defeat to Widnes Vikings.