Mac mindful of Manly momentum

The champions go to the Challenge Cup holders on Saturday hoping to make it two Stobart Super League wins out of two, following the 34-16 season-opening win over Hull KR.

But McDermott is also aiming to make sure his players are in top form ahead of their showdown with NRL champions Manly, who arrive in England on Saturday.

"We're mindful of it," he said. "We know we will have to be very good against Manly so we're using these two games to get as many points as we can and also to try to get some form and momentum. We need to be in good shape for when we play Manly."

Nobody rested

"Nobody is getting rested and we're not holding off. If it was round 25 and it was the Challenge Cup Final the week after I might be saying something different but we've only just got going.

"We need to build up as much momentum as we can so that we hit Manly with everything we've got."

With a fully-fit group, McDermott has been able to leave out two members of his Grand Final-winning squad and admits the competition for places is providing a huge bonus ahead of the world title clash.

"It's a massive incentive," he said. "Everybody is jittery about who's going to get what shirt. They know if they don't attain the standards that we know they can consistently, we've got a deep squad.

"That's a great threat, I can't motivate like that. You can get motivational speakers in and take them on team-building exercises but you can't create better motivation than the thought that they're going to lose that shirt. It's the biggest motivation ever."