Delaney tells Leeds to forget about Challenge Cup final

LONDON (AFP) –

Melbourne Storm centre Michael Auld (right) is denied a scoring opportunity by Leeds Rhinos winger Ryan Hall (left) in 2010. Brett Delaney wants Leeds to forget about their Challenge Cup final date at Wembley next weekend and instead stake a claim for Super League’s top four against Catalan Dragons on Saturday.

Brett Delaney wants Leeds to forget about their Challenge Cup final date at Wembley next weekend and instead stake a claim for Super League’s top four against Catalan Dragons on Saturday.

With a place in the play-offs now secure, the Rhinos’ Cup clash against Warrington may be taking precedence for many but Delaney claims the Super League must always come first.

The 26-year-old, who spent three seasons at the Gold Coast Titans between 2007 and 2009, also insists a poor performance against the Dragons may well taint the Rhinos’ trip to Wembley.

Leeds head to France following a resounding 68-24 victory over Widnes last weekend and Delaney admits fifth-placed Dragons will be doing them no favours as the top sides jostle for positioning.

“Obviously we have the Cup final next week but we have got a job to do in France,” said Delaney — who sees reigning Super League champions Leeds sit fourth in the table at present.

“Catalan are a big side, they have got a big pack and they are tough to beat over there, especially with the heat.

“No one’s place is secure for the final and you can play yourself into the reckoning with a good performance so we can’t take our foot off the gas.

“Getting that place in the top four matters, you get a second chance, but saying that we finished fifth last season and still made it count.

Brett Delaney (left) defends at the Rugby League World Club Challenge in 2010. Delaney wants Leeds to forget about their Challenge Cup final date at Wembley next weekend and instead stake a claim for Super League’s top four against Catalan Dragons on Saturday.

“We are coming towards the business end of the season now, and the last few weeks we have been building towards that. We have got two big games in the space of a week, that is when you know it is serious.”

Elsewhere, former Penrith and Cronulla hooker Paul Aiton has challenged Wakefield to cap a memorable season by joining Leeds in the play-offs.

Aiton, who has signed a two-year contract extension at Belle Vue, will miss the rest of the season through injury but claims the Wildcats’ clash at eighth-placed Hull KR on Sunday is crucial.

“It would be a massive achievement if we were in the semi-finals,” said Aiton. “We’re a new team, a new franchise and for any franchise to start and have a decent year then it would be a massive achievement.

“I have really enjoyed my year. I came here to enjoy my footy and I certainly have. I am devastated about missing the back end of the season because I still feel I can offer a little bit more to the club and the boys.”

Meanwhile, ex-Canberra Raiders centre David Howell insists the London Broncos can upset the odds against Warrington on Friday.

The Broncos are on a two-game winning streak, kick-started by a record-breaking comeback victory over Salford, and Howell wants to make it three from three.

“It is going to be tough, Warrington are one of the benchmark teams and everyone is going to have to put in a real shift for the full 80 minutes,” said Howell.

“What we have to do for the last few games of the season is put in good performances so we can start to build towards next season.”