WORLD champions coach Tony Smith has warned his Leeds Rhinos that only their very best will guarantee victory over the Giants in Sunday's big Super League clash at the Galpharm (3.00).
The newly-crowned world club champions arrive in Huddersfield this weekend on the back of a 66-8 destruction of Widnes Vikings. It was a performance which proved Leeds are hitting top form.
And Smith knows they will need to repeat the act if the Rhinos are to maintain their winning start to the season against Jon Sharp's Giants.
"Huddersfield are now a team that can compete with anyone in Super League," said the former Giants chief.
"Every week we give healthy respect to our opponents, and there is no question the Giants are a team that deserve our utmost respect.
"They may have lost their last two games against Hull and St Helens, but in some respects they were a bit unlucky.
"A couple of slow starts have cost them dear, but I also know that Sharpy will sort that out.
"They've been playing some good stuff, and it's great for the Giants to see Chris Thorman back at his spiritual home and playing better than ever.
"We showed against Widnes that we're getting back to some good form, and we know we're going to need to maintain that form this weekend.
"We can't afford to let our standards slip against a team like the Giants."
