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Miller is Magic WKND ready

2 hrs

Lachie Miller admits he’s been told of just how “vicious” the Leeds Rhinos/Bradford Bulls rivalry once was as his team prepare to set up another classic contest at Magic WKND.

Super League leaders Rhinos are in imperious form ahead of Sunday’s eagerly-anticipated derby at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

They are hoping to extend their lead at the top as they target a first title success in nine years.

Leeds and Bradford, of course, used to go at each other hammer and tongs in the early-mid 2000s when both star-studded sides were regularly competing for glory.

While Bulls suffered relegation in 2014 and only just returned this season, Rhinos went on to win another two Grand Finals in their absence.

And, of course, they memorably played out arguably the most famous games in Magic history when Leeds beat Bradford in controversial circumstances to close out the inaugural event in Cardiff in 2007.

For Australian full-back Miller, who only arrived in the UK three years ago, it all points to another enthralling match-up between the sides this weekend.

He said: “It has been touched on by the Leeds lads, just stories of back in the day how strong it [the derby rivalry with Bulls] was.

“And you see people like Jamie Peacock around the gym sometimes and they tell you how vicious it was back then.

“It’s great. We got to play them at Odsal earlier this year. That was a good game.

"Bradford are a tough team to beat and they have some really good entertainers in their side.

“There’s the likes of Jayden Nikorima who I’m sure will set the Hill Dickinson Stadium on fire come Sunday so we’ll have to try keep him quiet.”

Miller could become the first player to make 100 tackle busts in Super League this season when he lines up against Bradford.

The elusive former Australia rugby union Sevens star, who featured at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, has been in eye-catching form this term.

He has already made 97 tackle busts to top the charts alongside Toulouse Olympique’s No1 Olly Ashall-Bott who is set to face Catalans Dragons on Saturday night.

Miller, who also has a dozen try assists to his name, led the Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel rankings when panellists made their first pick following the opening nine rounds.

He recalled: “It’s always nice to get a bit of recognition.

“But our team has been playing really well, our middles have been doing a really good job and that just makes my job easy.

“To be honest, I was quite surprised. There’s some really good players out there and I thought I’d be nowhere near it. I didn’t think I’d be in there.

“But it was nice to get it and that personal gratification.”

The Man of Steel panel is due to meet again after Round 18 later this month, although Miller will have a tough job getting the nod twice having missed three matches this time around due to a ban.

But team glory remains the goal and Rhinos are looking to shine at Everton where more than 76,000 fans – a record for the event - are expected over the two days of action.

Miller, who scored in last year’s Magic win against St Helens at Newcastle, added: “I do love the concept, very much so.

“I’ve got to play in two now: one at Elland Road, Leeds and then the one in Newcastle.

“It’s really quite special for the fans and players as well.

“I didn’t get to the Hill Dickinson for last year’s Ashes Test but the boys who came and played said it was a pretty cool stadium.

“And to get to see it, like I did last month, it is really great. I’ve been fortunate to play in some cool stadiums but this will be right up there for me.

“It’s going to be the biggest and best Magic Weekend in Super League so far. I’m really looking forward to it.”