McDermott: We face a strong challenge on Friday

In this weeks edition of Headingley Carnegie Insight, Leeds Rhinos Head Coach Brian McDermott looks ahead to this Friday’s clash with Wakefield in the Carnegie Challenge Cup at Headingley Carnegie, kick off 8pm.

How highly do you rate Wakefield?
I think Richard Agar is doing a great job there and as a club they are moving in the right direction. Wakefield now have a clear direction about what they are doing and they want to challenge at the top half of the table rather than being satisfied with merely being competitive in Super League and I think they deserve credit for that. I know from personal experience how tough the challenge is of rebuilding a squad and coaching staff from scratch and I think Richard has done a good job. Aside from their heavy defeat at London, they have been gelling well as a squad and we know we face a strong challenge on Friday.

How are you approaching the challenge cup this season?
This club has got a proud history in this competition and in recent times quite a bit of heartache. However, we make no bones about it, we want to win it. We realise that could involve more heartache but that is what Champion sides do. There is no point us going into a competition if our aim is not to win it. We face a tough challenge in our first game against Wakefield but we are pleased to be playing Super League opposition because it is a challenge that we know. I am sure Wakefield will be keen to cause an upset but we must match that desire, especially at home.

How is your team shaping up?
We will have Danny McGuire back available this week which will be a boost. It has obviously been a truncated week this week in training with the game on Monday but we have looked after the players and I am sure they will be ready to go come kick off. It is good to have Rob, Danny and Brent back available this week as that diamond of players is an important part of our team