Leeds Rhinos v Crusaders: Traumatic Wembley defeat spur for Leeds final return

Despite being Super League champions four times since 2004 and World Club champions twice, the sport’s most famous knockout competition has eluded them since 1999.

Many thought they would end their long search when they faced holders Warrington Wolves at Wembley in August but a woefully inept performance saw Leeds squander a golden opportunity and lose out 30-6.

They start the arduous road there again when they face Crusaders in the only all-Super League fourth round tie at Headingley Carnegie this afternoon.

Experienced hooker Buderus may have captained Australia and New South Wales, won NRL Grand Finals with Newcastle Knights and been voted the world’s best player while having the honour of leading the inaugural Exiles squad against England at Leeds’s home ground next month.

But returning to Wembley and lifting the Challenge Cup remains uppermost in his thoughts.

“Really, I’d love another chance to do that day again,” he told the Yorkshire Post.

“I think everyone involved nearly had trauma afterwards because we just didn’t play well. That was the worst thing.

“But, leading up to that we had to play four or five really hard rounds as they were pretty much all good Super League teams. You would rather win it or get knocked out first round so you can get right for Super League.

“That’s the way I look at it but we’ve given ourselves every chance to go as far as we can.”

Leeds coach Brian McDermott has been able to name one to 13 from his squad for the first time this season and, despite winning their last three games to arrest a dismal start to the year, he is unlikely to rest any of his main protagonists for the visit of the struggling Welshmen.

Buderus, 33, was given a rare game off when they annihilated Castleford Tigers at the Probiz Coliseum last Friday, the 48-6 triumph completing a much-needed treble during the intensive holiday period, leaving Leeds with new-found confidence heading into the second half of the season.

That game saw the return of England captain Jamie Peacock after eight months out with a knee injury, and the enigmatic Danny McGuire did likewise in the Easter Monday league win over Crusaders, meaning Buderus realises the importance of that famed duo.

Leeds visibly lifted when the marauding Peacock entered the field and the internationals have been sorely missed, not just for their defensive solidity and creativity respectively but an often forgotten asset – vocal input.

“JP and Mags have an aura and stature around them in the team and it is no coincidence that everyone played really well that night against Cas,” he said.

“They bring a lot off the field, with just little things they say and that little bit of extra talk.

“That’s probably something we have been missing over the time that they have been out.

“Anyone that’s been sidelined for eight months knows trying to come back in from an injury like that is a lot of hard work and a long, lonely road.

“To see both of them out there and then JP set up that try that Mags scored was pretty good to watch. But we have been building towards that performance.

“We obviously haven’t been too comfortable with what we have been putting out on the field most weeks but we’ve been gradually getting better.

“I think the hard game will be this weekend, though; you talk about Easter and how tough that would be, but it’s the next week that’s the mental challenge for all the players.”

Leeds may have overcome Crusaders 34-16 at Headingley less than a fortnight ago but Buderus realises the cup test will offer a varied challenge to his side.

“They have got some really good attributes and a lot of experience,” he added.

“They are not just going to bend over and let us get the win. You have got to work hard and build against them, and it will be no different on Saturday.”

[email protected]