Leeds Rhinos: We can prove the critics wrong says Moon

FEW OUTSIDE Headingley are tipping Leeds Rhinos to challenge for honours, but centre Joel Moon reckons they can shock the pundits this year.

After their battle against relegation in 2016, Rhinos are regarded by many experts as likely also-rans for the new Super League campaign, which begins when they visit St Helens in eight days’ time.

Competition sponsors Betfred rate Rhinos as fifth favourites to win the Grand Final (8-1) and to be top of the table when the league splits in Super-8s and Qualifiers after 23 rounds (9-1).

But Moon believes Leeds’ squad – largely unchanged from the previous season – is as good as any in the competition and he is predicting “big things” from the seven-time Super League champions.

Leeds will need to climb five places to secure a semi-final spot, but assessing the state of play going into the final week of preparations, the 2015 treble winner insisted their prospects are bright.

“We’ve had a good pre-season,” said the former Salford man.

“The team has trained really hard and it’s going to be a good season.

“I think we can do big things. Everyone’s confident.

“All the boys are training well and we’ve got a good group of young players, too, who are competing for spots.