LEEDS Rhinos are determined to be top defensive dogs in Super League XV.
But the champions know they are about to face the side that could provide them with their biggest challenge to the star defensive crown in the shape of the in-form Giants.
Coach Nathan Brown’s men had the best defensive record in Super League XIV and are on course to repeat that this year, letting in an average of only eight points per match so far.
That obviously includes shutting out Wakefield last Saturday (52-0) and Hull KR (30-0) 13 days earlier.
And Rhinos winger Ryan Hall knows such an impressive defensive record means his side will need to be at their very best to win Sunday’s big Super League clash at the Galpharm Stadium.
"This is definitely a big test, their defensive record speaks for itself," acknowledged Hall.
"Huddersfield topped the charts last year for defensive effort, and we were quite upset about that because we pride ourselves on defence. We want to be the best.
"We’ve not done very well so far and that’s one thing we’re trying to put right, but we did very well on attack last week (Leeds thrashed Harlequins 62-4 at Headingley) and that will stand us in good stead for Sunday.
"We only conceded one try last week, from a kick. A try is a try, but if we have to concede we’d rather do it off a kick than a play.
"We didn’t have to defend at all in the last 20 minutes, we had all the ball and that’s always pleasing, because defence takes a lot out of you."
