Leeds Rhinos boss Brad Arthur has provided an update on the fitness of skipper Ash Handley and revealed he expects world champions Hull KR to bring the best out of his side in Saturday’s Las Vegas showdown.
Handley suffered a groin injury in a pre-season game last month and has missed Rhinos’ three competitive fixtures so far.
But he travelled to Nevada with the squad ahead of this weekend’s Betfred Super League round three clash and Arthur is optimistic about his chances of leading Leeds out at Allegiant Stadium.
“Ash trained on Wednesday,” Arthur confirmed. “He has to get through [Thursday], but he has done an amazing job to get himself ready for this game.
“He was pushing hard last week as well and just didn’t quite make it, but we’re pretty confident he is going to be right.”
England prop Mikolaj Oledzki has travelled to Vegas, but won’t play as he recovers from a rib injury suffered three weeks ago in the Betfred Challenge Cup against Widnes Vikings. New signing Jack Bird is training with the reserves in Leeds this week, but – other than rookies Alfie Edgell and Max Simpson who are on the long-term casualty list – Rhinos are close to full-strength and Arthur insisted: “We’ve got no excuses.”
Where Hull KR rank among Super League’s greats, referee controversy and Las Vegas predictions – Click here to watch the latest episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show
Not that he expects to need them. Leeds Rhinos beat the Robins twice last season and Arthur said: “Hull KR bring the best out of us because they are such a good side and we like to challenge ourselves.
“We have a good [recent] record against them and that’s because they force you to be at your best.
“What we need to learn is we have got to be at our best every week. Going up against the World Club Champions in Las Vegas, it couldn’t be any better.
“It’ll show us exactly where we are as a team. We want to challenge ourselves against the best and we couldn’t ask for anything better to build on.”
Serious About Rugby League’s coverage of Leeds Rhinos in Las Vegas is in association with Betfred Super League. Saturday’s showdown at Allegiant Stadium is an early highlight of a packed year of club rugby league action which also includes the Challenge Cup final at Wembley on May 30, Magic Weekend’s blockbuster return to Everton FC’s Hill Dickinson Stadium on July 4-5 and the Super League Grand Final on October 3 at Old Trafford. Experience live Super League. League Hits Different. To guarantee your place, visit Super League | Tickets
