Brad Arthur only focused on Catalans next week in Leeds' top two push

Leeds coach Brad Arthur refuses to look beyond next week's home game against Catalans after a 26-0 win at Huddersfield kept his side in the hunt for a top-two Super League finish.

The Rhinos were not at their best against dogged opponents at the Accu Stadium, but a fifth straight victory lifted them level on points with second-placed Wigan, who play at St Helens on Friday.

Harry Newman's opening try and two Jake Connor penalties shortly before the break edged Leeds into an 8-0 lead before second-half scores from Morgan Gannon, Brodie Croft and Mikolaj Oledzki sealed a sixth victory in seven games.

Arthur, whose side face Wigan in their last game of the regular season, said: "We need to win next week. That's got to be our priority and the only focus at the moment, to make sure we secure a home play-off.

"From there we'll see how results fall, but that's not within our control. We've worked really hard this season on our responses and what we can control.

"We're not really worried about other results at the minute. We've made the finals, our next goal is to dig out a home play-off, which is beating Catalans next week.

"We've beaten every team in the competition except for Catalans, so we need to make sure we do a better job next week.

"We've got to secure a home play-off first. That's the first priority."

Arthur said he was happy his side maintained their recent habit of notching victory while not at their best.

The Australian, who confirmed withdrawn scrum-half Jake Connor sustained a rib injury, added: "It was an ugly win, but we've got some good habits around finding ways to win, which is pleasing.

"I was pleased with our defence, I just thought our attack lacked that intent.

"It wasn't great, but it's a win. It's hard to win every week."

Huddersfield head coach Luke Robinson was satisfied his players responded positively against a "red hot" Leeds side after last week's 48-2 defeat at Wakefield.

Robinson said: "They've been playing red hot. They're one of the form teams of the competition and I thought we got a response from last week.

"I don't think the scoreline reflected the game. Anyone who watched that game, that wasn't how it panned out."

Full-back George Flanagan went closest to scoring for the Giants, touching down after juggling Joe Greenwood's offload, only for his effort to be ruled out for a forward pass.

"We were a little bit blunt in our attack," Robinson added. "I don't think we were potent. Our effort was great, but we weren't razor sharp in attack.

"We kept turning up for each other defensively over and over again, but when we had the ball it was very difficult to create some energy."