Interview: Gareth Ellis

Friday 8th August 2008

Leeds Rhinos 28-18 Bradford Bulls
Super League Round 24
Headingley Carnegie; Leeds

It was a tough game to set you up for the business end of the season?

I think so yes as long as we take all the positives from the game and build on it we are heading in the right direction as we saw against Bradford and we can kick on from it.

You had to grind out the result in the end there?

I think that is what we lacked in previous weeks, just taking teams to the end and grinding out the result. Bradford played well tonight, for the first time in a long time, but it testament to our boys for sticking at it and getting the result.

It was the sort of performance you needed with three games to go?

With the way things that things were going, it was important to get the win and the two points as it is so close at the top but the performance was as important in the end.

You have Castleford on Friday; is it the sort of the game that you are expected to win?

The two points are vital at this point in the season and we are heading in the right direction so every win counts now.

It is important to finish second as you don’t want a trip traveling to somewhere like the Catalans in the play offs?

Yes that is important because that is the prospect you face if you finish any lower. We want to finish as high up the table as we can and a home tie would be great but whatever happens, as long as we are playing well going into those games, we’ve got every chance.

Finally, it is maybe the last time you play against Bradford; will you miss playing against them in the Super League?

It has been great and it was one the big things when I came to Leeds, the excitement surrounding the fixture is massive because everybody knows someone or works with someone who is a Bradford or Leeds fan. The atmosphere surrounding the game is immense and it is something that I will miss.

Shamoon Hafez