Leeds Rhinos v Huddersfield Giants: Depleted Rhinos are now ready to show just what champions are made of, claims Hardaker

The West Yorkshire club are in the alien position of bottom place ahead of tonight’s crucial derby against Huddersfield Giants who, like their hosts, are also still awaiting their first point of the new season.

Both have lost all three of their games, with Rhinos also succumbing to NRL Premiers North Queensland Cowboys in the World Club Challenge, meaning the Headingley fixture has prime importance for unusual reasons.

Leeds won the treble last term and Huddersfield got to within 80 minutes of a maiden Grand Final but each is finding 2016 far more treacherous.

“It doesn’t read good so far being zero from three, but it’s a long old season,” insisted Hardaker, the England full-back who has taken on extra leadership responsibilities given the depth of his club’s current injury crisis.

“North Queensland lost their first three last season and won the competition, so that proves the start isn’t the be all and end all. It is a bit doom and gloom at the bottom and not a nice place to be, but I’m fully confident this group can produce. We know one win can change the mood; we’re not panicking at all and when that win finally arrives – and it will – we’ll show everyone why we are champions.”

Leeds, missing a raft of regulars, have conceded 100 points in their opening trio of Super League games and, of course, saw the garlanded triumvirate of Kevin Sinfield, Jamie Peacock and Kylie Leuluai all leave at the end of last season.

“With the players we’ve lost, people are putting two and two together and assuming that we’re going to be way off the pace,” said 24-year-old Hardaker.

“We’ve recruited well but it’s unfortunate we’ve got so many guys on the sidelines.

“Once it clicks I’m confident we’ll be a top side. We’re not a bad team, you don’t become a bad side overnight. One win changes everything in this game. We’re staring down the barrel of a gun at the moment but in the performances we’ve given – Widnes aside – we’ve played pretty good rugby.

“We were a bit shy against Warrington in attack, and it was still a close game.

“The World Club Challenge speaks for itself; we were drawing at half-time but they were too good.”

Leeds fell 32-28 in Catalans last weekend, a narrow margin of defeat and having only lost by two points to Warrington it confirms Hardaker’s assertion they remain competitive.

They will seek to capitalise on their opponents’ own vulnerability this evening, Huddersfield being depleted of at least seven regulars, too, in a game that also sees Leeds second-row Brett Ferres face his former club for the first time since a controversial switch.

“We will be there or thereabouts this year, mark my words,” added Hardaker.

“There are some good wins to come against some very good teams, and there’s no better time to start than Friday.

“We lost on Saturday but we gave it a real good dig and we took plenty from it. We’ve trained the house down and we’re ready for a huge game.”

Ferres on reunion: Page 20