In an ominous sign in the lead up to their World Club Challenge showdown with NRL Champions North Queensland Cowboys, Leeds have been handed a footballing lesson by perennial Super League battlers Widnes 56-12.

The loss was compounded by injuries to Carl Ablett, Tom Briscoe and Ashton Golding.

Playmaker Rob Burrow and Man of Steel Zak Hardaker were the only shining lights for the Rhinos who will come up against a Cowboys team boasting Johnathan Thurston, Michael Morgan, Lachlan Coote, Jason Taumalolo and Matt Scott.

And now the Rhinos will have to contend with a focused Thurston who is gunning for the World Title.

“It’s the one that I want to tick off the bucket list,” he recently told The Townsville Bulletin.

“Leeds have been at the top of their game over there for a number of years now. To have the opportunity to go over there and play against the best is something that I’m really looking forward to.

“It’s an opportunity that doesn’t come around very often. We’re in a privileged position and we need to make the most of it.”