Zak Hardaker has been backed to lead depleted Leeds Rhinos to more playoff glory against the team who sacked him five months ago.
The controversial former Man Of Steel has played a central role in reviving the Rhinos fortunes, after sealing an unlikely return to Headingley when Wigan’s patience with his off-field conduct finally ran out.
And having joined a Leeds side wrestling with relegation, Hardaker now has his latest shot at redemption, when the Rhinos head back to Wigan seeking to end the Warriors’ season and seal a remarkable return to Old Trafford.
READ MORE:
-
There’s No Player Like Him: Woolf Backs Saints To Win Without Walmsley
-
Anfield And Forsell Nominated For Inaugural BWSL Coach Of The Year Award
- Betfred's Latest Super League Outrights*
“He’s a good trainer, a good player and a good person amongst the team and squad” says the man who has overseen this season’s Rhinos revival, head coach Rohan Smith.
“He is a calm and composed character these days. I haven’t watched a lot of his career so all I know is how he is at the moment with a calm temperament and enjoys playing”.
Leeds moved to bring Hardaker back to Headingley before Smith had even arrived to take over as head coach, with interim boss Jamie Jones-Buchanan - Hardaker’s former team-mate - ultimately key to getting the controversial move over the line.
“I always try to treat people as I find them,” says Smith.
“Zak and I had a lengthy conversation on the phone and he felt like a good guy who really wanted to play for the Rhinos again. Since I’ve been at the club Zak has been great around the venue.”
Hardaker has shown his versatility in an injury-ravaged season for Leeds, slotting in at full-back, centre and on the wing.
The 30-year-old will also retain the kicking tee for Friday night’s do-or-die encounter at the DW Stadium, after points machine Rhyse Martin saw the club’s appeal against his suspension rejected this week. In fact had Leeds not appealed the original one-match ban, then Martin would have been free to play anyway.
But one of the vagaries of the disciplinary process is that an appeal against a suspension often brings with it the risk of an additional ban, if the appeal is deemed “frivolous”. And it is on that basis that Martin misses out, much to Smith’s frustration.
“I felt we had a very strong case,” he said of the appeal verdict.
“The appeal wasn’t frivolous. We went through the process and were well prepared, detailed and clear. We certainly didn’t feel it was frivolous.”
The absence of Martin, along with vice captain Ash Handley means extra responsibility for Hardaker, under which Leeds expect him to thrive.
Dream Team prop Mikołaj Olędzki is “touch and go” while England centre Harry Newman has been also been ruled out, although he could return to contention for the Grand Final should Leeds win.
Regardless of the 17 he is able to send out against the Betfred Challenge Cup Winners, Smith believes his side can ride the waves of emotion and raise the bar of their performance.
“I’m expecting another level or two up of intensity.
“The stakes are getting higher and the opposition is well refreshed having rested players the other week and then having a week off. They’ll have a rejuvenated team in good form having been among the top teams all year anyway.
“We will have to play very well. They are a seasoned, veteran team with real strike in Jai Field and Bevan French, and a bunch of internationals either side.”
While Wigan enjoyed a week off, Leeds flew out for their bruising playoff eliminator at Catalans Dragons. They only resumed training on Wednesday, 48 hours before this semi-final. But Smith is not one for excuses, and has urged an enormous anticipated Leeds following to roar their side home.
“The players love playing in front of those fans and there was amazing away support last week in France.
“For people to make that journey was unbelievable. In tough moments hearing that support will be great for us and it shows what a club this is that fans dedicate their lives to supporting the team.
“It’s a great achievement for any club to make the Grand Final, an enormous achievement, and it is down to four of us to take the opportunity now. You never know when the next one is coming.
“All four teams now will fancy their chances. We have a massive task against a well-refreshed team who have had a nice run into this game. But we feel we can keep the season alive.”
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change
