St Helens hooker James Roby is in no doubt that the team will have to be at the very top of their game tonight if they are to knock Leeds Rhinos off the top of Super League.
The Saints make the trip to Headingley in a battle that pits first against second – with the winner top of the table by 10pm this evening.
And Roby told TotalRL.com that the only way Saints will get the job done is if they are on top form – and he admits he can’t wait to play in front of a packed Headingley in one of the games he always looks forward to.
“It’s a massive game; any Leeds-Saints game is huge. It adds to it that it’s 1st v 2nd and we’ve been drawn together in the cup. There’ll be a lot of attention on us both – and it’ll be a great spectacle,” he said.
“We’re all looking forward to it and we know we’ll have to be at our best. Leeds are sitting above us in the league and we want to go top, and the only way we can do that is by turning up with the right attitude and delivering the goods.”
The two teams play each other again in the Challenge Cup semi-finals later this month, but Roby does not believe too much will be taken from the winner of tonight’s game ahead of that match.
“People talk about the psychological advantage of getting one over on them before the semis, but a different bounce of the ball or injuries can have a real impact. I think there is a small psychological impact, but with the games being four or five weeks apart there’s a lot that can happen between now and then.
“We’ve faced them in so many finals – probably too many! It’s a fantastic game; we’re two of the big clubs in the league and we always seem to be up there. I love playing at Headingley too; it’s loud and a big atmosphere, and it’s one of the games we look forward to.”
