Rhinos determined to heed Wigan lesson in bid to rule the world

The England prop’s first try for the club was their sole breakthrough in Saturday night’s 20-6 defeat at DW Stadium.

Wigan capitalised fully on Leeds’ handling errors and ill-discipline to serve as a stark reminder of what to expect when they face the Australian champions in Friday’s World Club Challenge.

“It was probably just the kick up the backside we needed,” said Griffin.

“We had a couple of pre-season friendlies against lower league teams and won them quite convincingly before a tough run-out against Hull KR on the opening weekend.

“We were fortunate to win that game and the errors we got away with last week came back to bite us at Wigan.

“It was a real tough match and we need to realise those mistakes will cost us again if we don’t fix them. I’m sure we will for Manly.”

Leeds, to their credit, competed well given the amount of ball they turned over and penalties they conceded, Josh Charnley’s hat-trick of tries arriving courtesy of some sharp Wigan execution.

Griffin accepts they need to polish that part of their own game if they are to have any chance of overcoming the famous Sydney club, who arrived in Yorkshire on Saturday ready to prepare for the Headingley Carnegie showdown.

“We’d already addressed the fact before we left the dressing room that we need to turn up Monday with a whole new attitude to looking after the ball,” he admitted.

“Wigan put in an under-par performance last week (losing to Huddersfield) but we did it this time.

“We let ourselves down with the dropped ball and skill level – that’s what most disappointed us – but we’ll work on that in training before Friday.”

Griffin, 30, enhanced his reputation with a typically powerful display off the bench and, with so much front-row competition at Headingley, should have secured his place in the squad.

The close-season signing from Huddersfield Giants is in line for his first World Club Challenge but admitted: “I’m only playing the game on the back of the great work the boys did last season.

“I’ve said I came to Leeds to play in finals and, thankfully, by round three, I’m already hopefully getting to play in a big one.

“It’ll be my second after the Challenge Cup with Huddersfield in 2009 and if Mac (Brian McDermott) picks me I’ll look to prove myself.”

Manly are bidding to repeat their 2009 World Club Challenge triumph over Leeds and arrive with a raft of world-class stars such as Kangaroos Jamie Lyon, Glenn Stewart and Anthony Watmough.

Griffin has first-hand experience of the revered Australian game, having toured with England in the 2010 Four Nations.

“In terms of individuals, Manly have some great players but so have we,” he said.

“We’ve got a real chance of becoming the best team in the world.”

McDermott is confident centre Kallum Watkins, who missed the Wigan game after injuring a wrist in training, will be fit for Manly although Lee Smith (ribs) is a doubt.