Transfers
In: Zane Tetevano (Penrith), King Vuniyayawa (NZ Warriors), Kyle Eastmond (Leicester RU).
Out: Adam Cuthbertson (York), Rhys Evans (Bradford), Tyler Dupree (Oldham), Harvey Spence (Featherstone), Wellington Albert (Keighley), Muizz Mustapha (Hull KR), Stevie Ward (retired), Ava Seumanufagai (released).
Agar wants Rhinos to challenge
Leeds Rhinos will be hoping that last season’s Challenge Cup victory can spur them on to challenge for major honours again this campaign after a turbulent few years.
Richard Agar’s men had Luke Gale to thank after his late drop goal gave them a 17-16 win over Salford at Wembley, and the Rhinos boss admits that they will need to find consistency if they are to get honours this season.
"If you'd have asked me after round five last year I'd have been gravitating towards the opinion that with a bit of luck, we could achieve something pretty special," Agar said.
"The Challenge Cup was an achievement.
"I think we showed our best at times and I think consistency is the main thing for us now and it's hard because we had a season like no other, it's hard to judge consistency after a season with no preparation and rotation on a wide scale.
"Given that, I'm not sure I can give a definitive answer, but we do really believe in our team and the squad we've got and they believe in each other.
"It's a tight bunch, we've not added much but we've added quality. Zane (Tetevano) will add plenty to us, let me tell you. We have younger kids that have benefitted from what last year brought them. We feel we're in a position to move forward."
Agar's confidence comes from familiarity, too, something Leeds had lacked in the season before.
"We've not had too many changes to our team and while we've introduced some new principals, if you compare us to last year, we had a new hooker in Kruise, a new senior halfback in Luke (Gale), Richie Myler spent a lot of time at fullback.
"We had a big job of setting a foundation and I do feel we have a foundation now. Integrating Kyle (Eastmond) and Zane into our starting lineup will be important but we have a base.
"Clearly, the two Grand Final teams will be the two we're challenging to surpass, but there are enough clubs making the right noises to be up there too. That's what we want too, a comp with teams fighting it out at the top.
"We're definitely not going to be shouting from the rooftops, well I'm not anyway, but we're confident and have belief in our boys."
Prediction
Leeds' Challenge Cup victory has given them the perfect platform to kick on in the Super League, which has been underwhelming in recent years to say the least.
The arrival of new assistant coach Sean Long could be key to the Rhinos' success this season, especially if he can improve the form of stand off Robert Lui, who has underachieved since his move from Salford in 2019.
Kyle Eastmond's Super League return could pay dividends for Agar's men, whilst Luke Gale will be looking to kick on after a promising first season for the Rhinos.
We can't see them breaking the top two pairing of St Helens and Wigan, but they should have no issues making the six.
VAVEL Predicts - 4th