The news that Kruise Leeming was leaving Leeds Rhinos shocked many last week.
It also shocked his teammates including halfback Blake Austin who has opened up on Leeming’s exit on the Rhinos’ Youtube channel:
“We only found out the same as everyone else, obviously in the press conference after I think they’d been whispers.
“Obviously Kruise has been moved around a little bit in the last six to eight months, so as a rugby player myself I’ve moved around and you’ve got to do what you feel is right for you.
“If Kruise thinks that moving on is best for him then I wish him nothing but the best.”
Austin has been working as a scholarship coach and with Leeds Beckett Uni and he believes this is helping his game:
“I think coaching is something I want to explore going down the track but for me right now it’s just about giving back.
“I had a bit of reflection this year and whether it’s coincidence or not I think some of my best rugby and seasons throughout my career, I’ve really given back to the game.
“Some people would see that as a coincidence but I think there’s something deeper there and I think when you’re putting a lot back in, you get a lot back out.
“The scholarship stuff is really enjoyable, you’ve got 40 kids that look at you like you’re Andrew Johns and hang on every word you say.
“You can feel like you can really have an impact on them, there’s some great kids involved and I think that the Rhinos are well set up for a long time.
“The uni stuff I came in wanting to sort of do a bit but this was a bit of a lesson too, it was quite easy during the off-season but it gets a bit tougher when the games are coming around.
“For me it’s more of a commitment to them to know that I’m there and can lend a hand when and where needed.”
