Leeds Rhinos v Catalans Dragons: Brad Arthur warns leaders must last course in Super League title race
Brad Arthur insists Leeds Rhinos’ early advantage at the top of Super League will count for little unless they can sustain it over the full season.
The Rhinos lead the way as the campaign reaches the one-third mark but are just two points ahead of Friday’s opponents Catalans Dragons, who sit sixth.
Arthur is determined to ensure Leeds last the pace.
"It's great for the club," he said. "But I want to be there in round 27, not round eight.
"It's a starting point, it helps, but there's a lot of hard work to be done between now and round 27.
"It's a bit of a reward for the hard work the players have done up to this stage but we certainly can't take it for granted.
"As soon as you take your eye off your week-to-week processes and start looking down the track, things will change."
Leeds last lifted the Super League trophy in 2017 but have re-emerged as a force under Arthur.
After claiming a first top-four finish in eight years last season, the Rhinos have a target on their back again.
Arthur is not concerned about any change in expectation levels on his side.
"I don’t think it puts any more pressure on us," he said.
"I feel like we've earned the right and a bit of respect from the competition over the last 18 months that teams come with their best game.
"We've seen that and the boys have learned it. Maybe we didn't give Hull FC enough credit and they came with their best game and beat us.
"We're focused on preparing for the best version of the opposition every week."
Catalans are on the lookout for a new head coach following Joel Tomkins' recent departure but made it four wins in five Super League games last week with an impressive victory over Warrington Wolves.
Although they have tasted success just once on the road, Arthur has braced Leeds for the best of the Ryan Sheridan-coached Dragons.
"They're very unorthodox in terms of a lot of offload and off the cuff-type footy so you have to make sure you're keeping your line up and your reactions are nice and positive," said the Australian.
"They have a big team so you've got to be physical in the contest as well.
"You can see a bit of confidence building in them with back-to-back wins. It will be a good test for us."