Castleford and Salford have taken most of the plaudits this season.
On top of the table, playing some razzle-dazzle rugby league, the Tigers have been a joy to savour. Salford have also been entertaining, belying their Million Pound finish last year to be real contenders in 2017.
Meanwhile, Leeds have flown under the radar for traditionally such a big club, especially compared with previous successfully seasons. But with the business end of the season approaching and the Rhinos in second spot, they remain well placed to make a final and do some damage.
Leeds front-rower Adam Cuthbertson agrees that Castleford and Salford should be getting all of the media attention.
“I think they’re talking about Castleford and Salford, and rightly so,” he said.
“We’re all sitting on similar points, but in terms of the way Castleford have been playing week-in-week-out. Salford have been really consistent with their performances and the way they play. It’s sort of hard to get a bearing on us because that’s what we’ve always played like, we’ve always been a bit more of a free team the way we play. But it works for us just as it works for them. Obviously, we’re flying under the radar because of it.”
Cuthbertson has been back to his best this season, much like his dynamic first year in Super League in 2015. In that year the Australian helped Leeds win a fantastic treble, picking up nine tries along the way and he set a new record for the most offloads.
In 2017 the prop has already scored nine tries from 21 appearances, and has set up three others. He tops Super League for offloads with 86, 28 more than second-placed Sebastine Ikahihifo.
Leeds, with few injury problems and the signing of Matt Parcell from Manly, have quietly gone about their business. They haven’t caught the eye in the manner that Cas have, but they are getting the job the done. Last Sunday they completely spanked Salford, putting 50 points on the AJ Bell Stadium. Heading into an important period the Rhinos have won four of their past five games.`
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“I think the best is yet to come,” The 32-year old said.
“We’ve just been slowly getting some momentum all year really. Obviously we’ve had a couple of games this year we weren’t happy about this year, where it wasn’t pretty. But not too many teams who go on to win big games and grand finals do have perfect seasons.
“I’ve played in plenty teams in the NRL where we can’t say we were perfect. It’s just one of those things in rugby, you’ve got to learn from your mistakes, get some momentum and come into that back end of the year flying.”
With the Super 8s approaching and a Challenge Cup semi-final against Hull FC coming up, Leeds are in the hunt for silverware. And while Castleford have bettered them three times so far this campaign, you wouldn’t count the Rhinos out when the trophies are being dished out.