Leeds Rhinos are determined to ‘put our own skill on display’ against world champions Hull KR in Las Vegas on Saturday.
That’s the message from Leeds Rhinos’ star forward Keenan Palasia ahead of this weekend’s huge Betfred Super League showdown at Allegiant Stadium.
It is the Robins’ first game since they shocked NRL kings Brisbane Broncos in a thrilling world title match last Thursday.
But Leeds Rhinos have won the sides’ last two meetings – beating Hull KR at home and away in 2025 – and Palasia reckons it is a chance for them to show they belong on the big stage.
“I am excited,” Palasia said. “We had a camp in Tenerife when we got to hang out with each other and then when it’s time to work, we work.
“It is going to be similar to that and we get to play the world champs and put our own skill on display.”
Palasia was among the crowd at MKM Stadium last week and feels Rovers’ win “added fuel to the fire” for the historic meeting in Nevada.
“They got the treble last year and now they are the world champs,” he noted. “Now we get our shot at them and we get it early too, so we get to see where we are at this point in the competition. Hopefully we can put some points on them.”
While Saturday’s game is worth two points, just like the other 26 rounds, it will be played in front of a new audience as the opening part of a treble-header which also includes two NRL first round fixtures, Newcastle Knights v North Queensland Cowboys and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs against St. George Illawarra Dragons.
Palasia admitted there is a match feeling about the build-up, but stressed: “Every single game is important to us, we want to win everything.
“It showed [last Friday] against York where we got away from them a bit early in the game and we tried to show our professionalism and show how good our defence is and that we can put points on anyone.”
In his press conference following that win coach Brad Arthur was clearly disappointed with the three tries Rhinos conceded and admitted their defence isn’t where it needs to be at this stage of the season.
Palasia said: “Any player would rather their coach be hard on us than easy on us. He and we are striving for perfection and hopefully we can fall somewhere near that against Hull KR.”
On a personal note, Palasia was relieved to get some competitive rugby under his belt before the trip to the States.
“A knee injury in pre-season kept him out of Leeds’ opening two matches, but he returned off the bench in the first half against York and confirmed: “I got through all right and it was nice to get a few minutes under my belt.
“It was an old injury so we didn’t have a set return date. It’s something from long ago, every now and then I get a little niggle so I have to look after that and stay on top of my rehab and prehab.
“It was a case of getting through as much as I can, get a needle in it and rehab it from there, but it has come up pretty good. I built into that game and hopefully this week I’ll come in flying.
“I am a rugby league player, not an athlete, so I just have to get out there and run hard, tackle hard and not get tired.
“Having that 40 minutes under my belt, I think it will help. Brad simplified my job for me – get out there, hit to hurt and run to bust. I just had to do that and change the game and our momentum.”
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
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