Leeds Rhinos named a very experimental side for today’s clash against Wakefield Trinity and though it ended in defeat a lot of young players, those who have experience and those that don’t, got some important minutes in their development.
The two props that started the game both have experience but are still developing: the returning Tom Holroyd and the towering Sam Walters.
Walters, like teammate Jarrod O’Connor, joined Leeds after Widnes Vikings’ financial struggles and the two have come through the ranks together at Headingley.
Speaking after today’s game, Walters explained what this friendship is like:
“I have probably played every Super League game with him which is good because I know his morals and values and I know I will get 100% from him every time.”
He also spoke about the closeness within the squad especially amongst the young players who have developed alongside each other akin to the golden generation:
“You look round the squad, there is not that many older boys. It’s younger boys, we have that connection and we push each other’s standards every day and picking each other up so when people come into the team the standards are already there.”
Meanwhile, Walters also revealed how this pre-season will be different to previous years as they look to resolve a loose area from last year:
“We have done a lot of wrestle focus, a lot of conditioning as well, but that wrestle in previous years we have been a bit loose so hopefully the ruck is a bit slower for us next year in defence.”
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