11 April 2023 , 17:16
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Mikolaj Oledzki says Leeds Rhinos don’t mind doing it tough insisting: “You don’t remember the easy wins."
The England prop helped his side to a dramatic 18-17 victory over Huddersfield Giants on Sunday. It rounded off an impressive Easter programme which brought the biggest aggregate attendance for a six-match Betfred Super League round in the competition’s long history. A total of 83,357 watched the ‘Rivals Round’ including almost 25,000 as Wigan clinched a classic against St Helens.
With 12-man leaders Warrington coming out on top in a belting contest in Perpignan, Leeds followed the trend, fighting back from 12-0 down to seal a thrilling win in front of 13,234 people at Headingley. It was the third time already this season they had shown character to bounce back from a big deficit. Asked if Rhinos will ever win easily, Oledzki joked: “We don’t like that. You don’t remember the easy wins.
“The last three years every time we’ve played Huddersfield at home it’s been a one-pointer or a one try game so I think that’s the norm’ now. But it was a great game to finish off a great Easter weekend of rugby league. There’s been some fantastic matches and hopefully everyone enjoyed that. We were happy to come out on the right side of the scoreboard.”
And it was only the Dream Team forward’s second game back after four months out following shoulder surgery. But he put in some powerful carries to get Leeds in position for success. Oledzki insisted: “I’ve been a bit rusty the last two games but I’m trying to build my game, improve my role and find out what the team needs from me. But it’s great to be back and back at Headingley in front of our own fans. That’s what makes the game so fantastic.”
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Next, they host Hull who were humiliated 40-0 at home to Hull KR in front of a 20,895 crowd on Good Friday. That was a sixth successive loss for ex-Rhinos boss Tony Smith but Oledzki said: “When you play teams that are trying to get a win under their belt, they’re dangerous, especially Hull. They have some great talent on the field. “The coach will be expecting a reaction so you have to be even more switched on than when facing teams in form. It can trip you up. We’ll be working hard. And hopefully getting back to back wins at Headingley.”
Leeds Rhinos' Mikolaj Oledzki salutes fans after his side's epic win against Huddersfield Giants (John Clifton/SWpix.com) (John Clifton/SWpix.com)Meanwhile, after missing the opening six games of the season, he knows he isn’t likely to feature for England against France in a little over a fortnight’s time. Oledzki was in Shaun Wane’s World Cup squad last autumn but made just one appearance at the tournament. He said: “It was frustrating but also I know Shaun expects a certain standard when you put an England jersey on.
“I’m trying to build my game and reach that and at the moment - after two games - I know I’m not at my best. I’m nowhere near. I’ll keep concentrating on myself here. I’m 100 percent committed to improving my game so Leeds can benefit and kick on.”
Fellow England prop Mike Cooper, 34, has been ruled out for the rest of the season - and possibly as long as 12 months - after the Wigan player suffered an ACL injury against St Helens on Good Friday.