Leeds Rhinos v Leigh Leopards: Belief growing for Brad Arthur's title hopefuls ahead of latest test

Leeds Rhinos, for instance, have spent much of the campaign dancing to their own tune, opening up a lead at the top of Super League to take pole position in the race for the League Leaders' Shield.

But success is not built on everything going to plan. There are times when a team must dig deeper, find another way and discover something about themselves in the process.

That was the challenge facing Leeds Rhinos at Belle Vue last week.

Staring at a 22-6 deficit after Brad Arthur's half-time team talk failed to spark an immediate momentum shift against Wakefield Trinity, the Rhinos faced fresh questions about their trophy prospects.

That they remained patient and came out the other side with two precious points further reinforced the growing conviction in their title challenge.

"It gives us another layer of belief," said Arthur.

"We've had our own way and been dictating terms for a long time. We had the terms turned on us and had to respond in a different way.

"We talked at half-time about what we needed to do – stay in there and fight – and they scored within two sets and made the job even harder. But the boys stuck at it and kept chipping away, believing that 40 minutes was a long time to get back to what a performance looks like from a Leeds Rhinos team.

"They were good. They chased the collision, kept it pretty simple, defended better and played better field position. In the end, we got the job done with a couple of minutes left."

The Wakefield rescue act was another box ticked but there is still plenty to do if Leeds are to stay out in front and secure a first League Leaders' Shield since 2015.

Leigh Leopards provide the next stern test at Headingley tonight, while a home date with nearest challengers Wigan Warriors is looming.

The wider picture can wait. Arthur wants his players to empty the tank against Leigh before they take the opportunity to recharge.

"We blocked these four games and this is the last one before a good 10-day turnaround," said the Rhinos boss, who welcomes back Ryan Hall after Alfie Edgell sustained a season-ending injury in the win over Wakefield.

"Our focus is purely on making sure that we really go after this game and attack it with all the effort and energy that we need, knowing we'll get a good rest to recover.

"It's a big game for us in terms of backing up our last couple of performances where we've shown lots of grit and fight. We've won all three games differently."

Leeds sit two points clear of Wigan with five rounds to play, an advantage strengthened by a vastly superior for and against.

However, three of their remaining opponents have already beaten them this season, including Leigh.

While he partly attributed their round-one defeat to adapting to new interpretations of the rules, Arthur acknowledged the threat posed by the sixth-placed Leopards.

"It's a different game now than it was at the start of the year," he said. "It was early in the season when both teams were feeling their way.

"They're playing some really good footy at the moment and are in some good form. They'll be quite confident.

"(Adam) Cook and (Lachlan) Lam are definitely getting better and starting to form a really good combination. (Edwin) Ipape out of dummy-half is strong but I think (Liam) Horne is doing a good job when he starts there so their combination is growing.

"They're strong right across the park. They're a good team."

Leeds have not been in this position since 2017, when they secured a top-two finish and went on to lift the Super League trophy for an eighth time.

That they are in the box seat to claim the League Leaders' Shield is down to their record at Headingley.

While they have lost four games on the road, the Rhinos have been flawless in LS6 with 10 straight wins.

There is more than home advantage at work, according to Arthur, who believes players and supporters have forged a formidable bond wherever Leeds play.

"It's unreal," he said on the Headingley atmosphere. "It's loud but it's just the passion.

"The crowd from both teams were just so loud for the 80 minutes last week. When you come to Headingley, it's the same. They support their team right from the get-go to the end.

"We were down by 12 or 16 in that Wakefield game and the Leeds Rhinos fans were loudest, believing that we could get the job done.

"At home, they just give you an extra lift. We can use the energy from our fans and our crowd to own some big moments and big effort plays. When you're down and out and feeling a bit sorry for yourself, it lifts you."