Leeds Rhinos forward, Adam Cuthbertson has insisted that the Rhinos can’t put their slow start to the season down only to being in a transitional period.
Dave Furner’s side suffered their fourth defeat in five games when they were comfortably dispatched by Wakefield, in their homecoming match at the redeveloped Emerald Headingley stadium last Friday night.
After victory over Salford and a strong performance against St Helens, their frail display against Trinity was a setback, which the Australian says isn’t acceptable.
“Obviously we are in transition,” said Cuthbertson. “But there were some really good signs last week against St Helens and we need to start replicating that. Not just for a 20-minute stint or for one game. We were back home and it’s really disappointing to lose in that fashion.
“Once we get comfortable in what we’re doing – in the sense that we don’t have to force our hand and try to score every time we get the ball – we’ll start putting some teams to bed. We’ll start turning them around when they get tired; we are a really fit and well-coached team. It’s about showing that on the paddock.”
The 34-year-old saved special praise for the Rhinos supporters, who produced a superb atmosphere in the new surroundings of the South Stand.
“Our fans, in general, are just brilliant,” he said.
“Regardless of how the team is going they turn up. We have the best support in the competition. We’re forever grateful because they give us a great atmosphere, and hopefully we will start to repay them again.
“They are a great set of fans who stick with us through the bad and the good. That shows a lot of character in them.”