It hasn’t been the best of 2019s for Leeds Rhinos but can they rebuild into a title contender in 2020. Ben Guzdek looks at how their season will unfold.
KEY SIGNING
Head coach Richard Agar and Director Kevin Sinfield have made their statement of intent signing two-time NRL winner Matt Prior.
Having previously won it at St George in 2010 and Cronulla Sharks in 2016. He is a versatile forward who can play anywhere in the forward line and should be a good addition for the Rhinos.
ARRIVALS:
Matt Prior, Kruise Leeming, Luke Gale, Alex Mellor.
KEY DEPARTURE
Leeds look a bit short on hookers after releasing Matt Parcell and Shaun Lunt to Hull Kingston Rovers and Batley Bulldogs respectively.
Parcell has proven to one of Rovers’ top players having only spent half a season at Craven Park. Lunt brought experience and was one of the many role models in their dressing room.
To fill that void they’ve brought in Kruise Leeming who had played over 100 games for Huddersfield, scoring 15 tries.
At 24, he certainly is one who can build into that position and really make it his own in years to come.
DEPARTURES:
Wellington Albert (Featherstone Rovers) (Loan), Trent Merrin (St George-Illawarra Dragons), Owen Trout (Huddersfield Giants), Brad Singleton (Toronto Wolfpack), Shaun Lunt (Batley Bulldogs), Brett Ferres (Featherstone Rovers), Nathaniel Peteru (Released), Sam Moorhouse (Dewsbury Rams), Matt Parcell (Hull KR), Ashton Golding (Huddersfield Giants), Carl Ablett (Retired).
SQUAD NUMBERS
1. Jack Walker, 2. Tom Briscoe, 3. Harry Newman, 4. Konrad Hurrell, 5. Ash Handley, 6. Rob Lui, 7. Luke Gale, 8. Ava Seumanufagai, 9. Kruise Leeming, 10. Matt Prior, 11. Alex Mellor, 12. Rhyse Martin, 13. Stevie Ward, 14. Brad Dwyer, 15. Liam Sutcliffe, 16. Richie Myler, 17. Adam Cuthbertson, 18. Dom Crosby, 19. Mikolaj Oledzki, 22. Cameron Smith, 23. Callum McLelland, 24. Luke Briscoe, 25. James Donaldson, 26. Alex Sutcliffe, 27. Sam Walters, 28. Thomas Holroyd, 29. Corey Johnson, 30. Muizz Mustapha, 31. Dan Waite Pullan, 32. Tyler Dupree, 33. Jarrod O’Connor, 34. Jack Broadbent, 35. Wellington Albert, 36. Corey Hall.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Leeds’ opening five games can go either way when you look into their ties against the two Hull teams.
They will have to face Salford Red Devils and Warrington Wolves in back-to-back fixtures, if Leeds can beat the two Super League runners up and Challenge Cup holders then it looks like the sun will shine bright over Headingley.
PREDICTIONS
Leading Tryscorer: Ash Handley
Leading Pointscorer: Rhyse Martin
Player of 2020: Luke Gale
