One Leeds Rhinos player is backing himself for a starting shirt in 2025 in a position that could create a huge headache for Brad Arthur.
That man is hooker Jarrod O’Connor with the 23-year-old fancying his chances to claim the starting role at nine in 2025, ahead of 2024 signing Andy Ackers.
Ackers arrived alongside Brodie Croft in a mega deal from Salford that CEO Gary Hetherington described as a ‘huge investment for the club’. Whilst Croft would shine at times, Ackers did find himself battling with O’Connor and the 23-year-old is now backing his chances to claim the role outright.
O’Connor certainly found more favour as a starter under Rohan Smith, first starting in Round 10 and holding that position until Round 18, which just so happened to be Brad Arthur’s first game in charge – at which point O’Connor saw the season out from the bench.
A big part of O’Connor backing himself has been his pre-season work, which he described when speaking on the Leeds Rhinos YouTube channel, noting: “It’s been really enjoyable since we’ve come back. We’ve got a lot of work put into us and a lot of contact done and put in in the Wrestle Room. I can’t wait to get back and play again.”
Leeds Rhinos set for key battle at hooker
Credit: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
Whilst many bemoan the pre-season grind, O’Connor is embracing it, explaining: “I don’t really mind it, we get paid to do it so we can’t complain. Apart from the weather being a bit dull, I’d still rather do that than any other job in the world.”
It’s the first pre-season since Arthur took over and there is also a new face in the coaching department with Jamie Langley appointed. That combination has seen Ian Blease recently claim that the squad has been worked harder than in recent years, and O’Connor attested to the toughness.
He said: “The field sessions have been really tough, we’ve had a lot of conditioning into games and playing with the ball under fatigue which is one of the main things that you need to do that you can’t really replicate until you get into a game but we’re trying to get as close to that situation as we can.”
As such, he’s found himself in what he’s claiming is the best shape he’s ever been in, prompting him to confirm his aim of claiming the starting shirt in 2025.
“I think this is the best shape I’ve ever been in and the best skillwise that I’ve ever been,” O’Connor explained.
“I’m just really excited to get going again, keep building, see how far I can get this season, and hopefully get that starting shirt.
“I really back myself, I think I could be the starting nine here and do a really good job. Obviously, Ackers is a really good player and we keep pushing each other. We’re actually really good mates so I think that makes it even easier that we work together and help each other’s game.”
It has recently been confirmed that the shirt numbers will not be announced until after the Boxing Day friendly against Wakefield Trinity, meaning that the number nine shirt could yet be claimed by O’Connor.
