Leeds Rhinos: Leeds ordered to play without fear

It has been 13 long and frustrating years since the West Yorkshire club last tasted success but the Headingley chief maintains that will be no millstone around their neck in tomorrow’s final.

Certainly, they are massive outsiders against Warrington Wolves but given Leeds’s consistent pedigree in Super League some of the odds quoted seem foolish.

The reigning champions are confident they can draw upon all their vast Grand Final experience and, at last, transfer it to the London stage.

Rhinos have fallen short in all five finals since last lifting the trophy in 1999 and defeat tomorrow would signal a record-breaking third successive Wembley loss. But McDermott told the Yorkshire Post: “We are not going down there to try and win it because we’re scared to death of losing. That’s a poor form of motivation – the fear of defeat.

“If we lose because Warrington play better on the day and we’ve given everything we’ve got then we’ll deal with that.

“I’d be very disappointed but we’d deal with it and push on.

“But if we lose the game because we’re scared to death of playing, of trying anything or being over aggressive, that’s no good.

“The fear of losing can kill you. It’s a sure-fire way of losing a game.”

The squad, with injury-doubt Rob Burrow included in the 19-man party, headed south for their hotel late yesterday afternoon.

They will get their first look at the Wembley pitch this lunchtime on the traditional eve-of-final ‘walkabout’ and apply the last touches to their meticulous plans.

McDermott, of course, knows just what it is like to savour a Challenge Cup final victory having given a totemic performance at prop in Bradford Bulls’ 2000 win over Leeds.

That club had endured their own long-standing misery being labelled ‘chokers’ after losing the 1996 and 1997 Challenge Cup finals versus St Helens and falling against the same opponents in the Grand Final two years later.

The Murrayfield triumph over Leeds was a turning point but McDermott revealed: “We went into that game in 2000, I think, with the wrong mentality .

“I remember recent history being a big thing for us but I thought it was wrong at the time.

“Our philosophy for this game is we want to win it because it feels great to win. Nothing else.

“We want to win it because it’s the right thing to do, because we’re in a game and want to win the Challenge Cup.”

Leeds, who enter the game having lost two of their previous four Super League games, realise it will need their finest performance of the year to overcome Warrington.

McDermott continued: “There’s no magic wand, I’ll tell you, and there’s no mad strategy.

“I was asked a question by a member of the public a few days ago and I’m sure he thinks there’s some elaborate strategy.

“An intention of going out there, being poor and then, all of a sudden, we’ll be good.

“Nothing could be further form the truth. That said, we find ourselves in a game and what we have to do is play well.

“There’s no way we’re going to beat Warrington with half-hearted performances.

“Anything below what we’re capable of (and) I don’t think we’ll get the job done. We have to be very good on game day and that’s what we intend.”

Jamie Peacock, who played in that 2000 Bradford side alongside McDermott, is the only member of the current Leeds squad to have lifted the trophy.

They are likely to start with Stevie Ward at half-back, the 18-year-old still celebrating getting an A and two Bs in his A-levels last week but now turning his attentions to defeating Warrington.

He has been dubbed the “new Kevin Sinfield” given he has plenty of the same attributes first shown by the revered Leeds captain. “We are different in so many ways but I can understand a few of the similarities,” said Sinfield.

“We both combined doing our A-levels with playing in the first team and we play similar positions but he’s a different player to me.

“I have a lot of time for him. I think over the next few years he’s going to turn out to be a star of our competition – I have no doubt about that – and to play a part in his early development has been fantastic.

“How he’s dealt with this year so far, completing his A-levels and playing outstandingly well in the first team, shows the quality he’s got about him, not just as a rugby player but as a person as well.”

There will be plenty of pressure on Ward’s shoulders as he replaces the sidelined Danny McGuire.

But, given Sinfield’s close proximity alongside him at stand-off, the side should be piloted by safe hands. “It’s probably made for him,” said Sinfield. “As an 18-year-old, you don’t have any fear. He’s full of enthusiasm and got plenty of class about him.

“To be given a chance like that at 18 years of age is unbelievable but I think he’ll relish it. You’ll probably see his best game this year.”

Warrington’s England centre Chris Bridge was the only notable omission when the clubs announced their 19-man squads yesterday.

Leeds squad: Hardaker,Jones-Bishop, Watkins, Ablett, Hall, Ward, Burrow, Sinfield (capt), Leuluai, Lunt, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Delaney, Bailey, Griffin, Clarkson, Kirke, Moore, Keinhorst.

Warrington squad: Hodgson, Riley, Atkins, J Monaghan, Briers, Myler, Morley (capt), M Monaghan, Carvell, Waterhouse, Westwood, B Harrison, Higham, Grix, Wood, Ratchford, Hill, McCarthy, Cooper.

Referee: R Silverwood (Mirfield).