Senior is expecting repeat in bid for final glory

But the good news for Rhinos followers is that hooker Danny Buderus is free to play against whoever they face in their semi-final a week on Saturday after winning his appeal against a one-match ban last night.

Veteran centre Senior has played in every Super League season but has rarely taken part in a more compelling play-off than their 27-26 triumph over Wigan at the DW Stadium on Sunday.

However, he reckons his side will have to do it all again once this weekend's eliminators are out of the way.

By virtue of losing against the defending champions, shaken leaders Wigan must defeat Hull KR at home tomorrow and Warrington face Huddersfield in the other contest on Saturday to secure a place in the semis.

As part of the oft-criticised Club Call system, St Helens will then choose on Sunday lunchtime which side they want to face for a place at Old Trafford, just as Leeds were able to pick Catalans last year.

Given Saints' incredible record over Warrington – they have not lost against them at Knowsley Road since 1994 – Senior said: "I think we'll end up getting Wigan again.

"If everything goes to plan and the teams that are expected to win do so then Wigan and Warrington will reach the semis.

"I expect us to be playing Wigan which is going to be interesting after the other night."

However, while Leeds were widely acclaimed for the high standard of their performance in defeating Michael Maguire's men, recovering from an early 14-0 deficit to stun the favourites, Senior believes it was still far from their finest vintage.

"It was a great performance but I wouldn't say it was our best and we've still a lot of work to do," said the former Great Britain star, who made the Super League Dream Team for a fifth time this year.

"Those first 15 minutes weren't good and we were still quite scratchy in a lot of areas but the best part is we showed what character we do have to win another title.

"Everyone knows we've not been playing our best rugby this year but we demonstrated we've still got the grit, determination and fight needed in these play-offs."

As resting Leeds watch events unfold this weekend, they are getting to grips with the realisation their path to Manchester on October 2 must be negotiated without the inventive presence of Danny McGuire, the stand-off cruelly ruled out for more than six months after suffering knee ligament damage at Wigan.

McGuire, like Jamie Peacock, will miss the start of next season but Senior believes the champions will be able to overcome the loss of his game-breaking talent.

"It's a case of we have to," said the 34-year-old. "Danny has been massive for us and we're gutted for him after this injury.

"He's our player of the year and deserves all the merits he gets just like JP. But we have to get on without him now and that's what we'll do.

"Nobody would have thought we could get that win at Wigan without JP but look at what happened.

"People will have to step up and put their status on the game. Now Danny's out, Rob (Burrow) and Kev (Sinfield) will have to take more on and someone will have to fill in at loose-forward and raise their game."

Luke Burgess (broken jaw) is also on the sidelines and Leeds have doubts over fellow forwards Ryan Bailey and Jamie-Jones Buchanan for their semi-final at Headingley.

That could prompt another enforced return to the pack for Senior who started in the second-row for the first time in his Leeds career at Hull nearly a fortnight ago.

However, he is willing to play whichever role is required and feels there is more to come from a side that has endured a problematic 2010.

"We've always had belief but we've just not always played well as a team and that's been the disappointing aspect," said the ex-Sheffield Eagles star, who has won four Grand Finals with the Rhinos.

"Individual brilliance from a certain few has pulled us out but that Wigan game showed we can get back to playing as a team if we stick to the plan.

"We will have to play a lot better still though if we are going to go on and win it."

Buderus was freed to play in the Rhinos' semi-final after successfully appealing against a one-match ban.

The former Newcastle Knights and Australia player was given the maximum punishment for a grade A "spear" tackle in Sunday's win over Wigan when he appeared before the Rugby Football League's disciplinary committee.

But an appeals panel lifted the suspension yesterday after watching the incident from a new angle, although the guilty verdict and 300 fine remain.