Magic Preview: Rhino Stampede

Three-quarter Macdonald plotting Old Trafford return

Nene Macdonald has seen enough evidence to convince him that Leeds Rhinos are capable of mounting a Grand Final return this season.

Rohan Smith's side have had a somewhat stuttering start to the campaign, which has included disappointing defeats to Castleford, Hull FC, Salford and Leigh.

But the Rhinos have also beaten St Helens, Catalans and Wigan - the latter a thumping 40-18 win at the DW Stadium despite being reduced to 12 men by Zane Tetevano's first half red card.

Papua New Guinean international Macdonald knows they need to improve their consistency - and will miss Tetevano at Magic - but insists the promising signs have been there.

"As a team we've been a bit up and down and we've been almost clicking," Macdonald explains.

"At the back end of the season hopefully we can get that consistently right.

"This is a great team that can do great things, and I've got 100 percent faith and confidence that we can win the comp. All players should have that belief."

Macdonald's move to Leeds has seen him link up again with coach Smith, who helped revitalise his career Down Under after the 29-year-old took a step back from the NRL.

"I joined Rohan at Norths Devils in Queensland and we won a comp there," Macdonald recalls.

"After that I got over to Leigh and had a great season where we won the comp, and now Rohan's brought me to Leeds and is aspiring to try and achieve that again.

"He's a great coach and has been a great mentor for me on and off the field. 

"He's been very good for me - he's different and has his own little twists on coaching.

"You can approach him off the field as well. When you're young you can be a bit afraid to approach the coach and ask how you're going, but the boys all know that can talk to Rohan on a personal level."

Magic Weekend offers Leeds a chance to avenge their 14-8 Easter defeat at the Mend-a-Hose Jungle. Revenge is a notion that many players shy away from. Not Macdonald, however.

"They beat us at Cas and I'm looking forward to getting back out there and getting them back for that," says Macdonald.

"It's an exciting weekend and watching it last year it looked so much fun and a great idea to get all the clubs playing together.

"They've copied it in Australia and it brings all the fans into one city and makes it a great weekend of watching footy.

"I've not played at St James' Park before so I'm very excited - everyone tells me it's one of the best stadiums to play at and I can't wait to get out there."

PLAYER IN FORM - CAMERON SMITH 

Cameron Smith did not shy away from the significance of being handed the iconic Leeds Rhinos number 13 shirt before the season kicked off - and certainly hasn't shied away on the field since.

Smith spoke candidly about the importance of the shirt worn for so many years by Kevin Sinfield and saw it as an increase in responsibility for himself in 2023.

He has risen to that challenge, consistently being among the Rhinos' most effective players and adding new dimensions to his game.

ONE TO WATCH - JAMES McDONNELL

Signing McDonnell from Super League rivals Wigan for the 2023 season was seen as something of a coup for Leeds given his potential.

McDonnell has now started to live up to that with a number of impressive performances in the Rhinos pack.

An Ireland international who has also been part of the England Knights set-up, McDonnell has become an increasingly important figure in Rohan Smith's side.