Leeds Rhinos hooker Brad Dwyer coming to terms with a less busy schedule

LEEDS RHINOS are getting used to being able to prepare for matches once more – and Brad Dwyer is not sure if he likes it.

The Challenge Cup victors face Catalans Dragons in a sudden-death play-off tie at Warrington on Friday knowing victory will leave them just 80 minutes from a Super League Grand Final.

It will have been 12 days since their last fixture – a 20-18 win at Wakefield Trinity that was a fourth game in just 10 days.

Hooker Dwyer, who played in all of that run ahead of some hard-earned days off last week, admitted: “I didn’t know what day it was at one point, but I really enjoyed the challenge of getting myself up.

“We trained again on Friday and I said I missed just going every two days and playing rugby, not having to train!

“Obviously it’s not ideal for performance but it was a challenge that I enjoyed and it’s done with now.”

Leeds – who finished fifth but earned a place in the play-offs when they were extended last week – face fourth-placed Catalans who, in contrast, have played just once in five weeks.

Hit by Covid-related issues and then seeing St Helens not wanting to travel to France last week, their 42-24 loss against Salford Red Devils last Monday was a rare outing.

Catalans managed just 12 regular rounds all season and were thankful the 15-game minimum to qualify was dropped when the play-offs were reshaped last week.

Dwyer, 27, said: “It’s probably not ideal for them, just like it’s not ideal for us to have played so many.

“There’s so many situations that aren’t ideal at the moment. Anyone could pick excuses up or moan about anything.

“At the end of the day we’re 80 minutes off a semi-final, which simplifies everything, and I’m sure that’s what they’re thinking.

“They’ve got threats all over the park – they’re a big pack.

“We’ve just got to look after the ball and tire them out. If we can do that it puts us in a good position to play some rugby.

“It will be a massive battle up the middle, and if we can control that it limits how much (Sam) Tomkins, (James) Maloney and (Josh) Drinkwater can do on the back of that, (Israel) Folau as well.”

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