Harry Newman hails English pathways and reveals how ‘direct’ Shaun Wane is improving his game

Harry Newman was issued a stern warning by England boss Shaun Wane regarding his attitude and discipline earlier in the season but the Leeds Rhinos centre has flourished under Wane’s coaching and Newman has paid huge credit to not just Wane, but the English development system and pathways.

Newman is an exceptional talent but on too many occasions his on field actions for the Rhinos were drawing the wrong kind of attention through his ill-discipline, something that England boss Shaun Wane warned against suggesting that Newman wouldn’t be selected for this Tonga series.

Fast forward to squad selection day and Newman found himself with a call-up and he’s since played and starred in both tests so far and now is set to line up for his country at his home stadium of Headingley.

The centre addressed the press and spoke on the significance of the upcoming fixture on Saturday, on both a personal and a team level:  “Yeah, obviously it’s going to be a massive crowd as well and that’s what all the lads want,” Newman explained.

“Playing international rugby, we want big crowds and especially here at Leeds it’ll be very special personally if I’m in that side. But we need that win and we want that win and to make it 3-0 would be massive.”

Nailing that 3-0 series win is something that’s been at the forefront of Wane’s pressers since the second victory at Huddersfield’s John Smith’s Stadium and that dialect has continued from the coach, but for Newman he’s spoken on the pride of playing for his country and particularly the pathways that have allowed him to do so.

Newman noted: “I played in one of the schoolboy tests here, Harry Smith, Tyler (Dupree), Morgan (Smithies) and (Jack) Welsby too.

“It’s great to see that the English system is working. I think a lot of them players have played Knights as well and now are stepping up to first team level, to a different level, but it’s come through with some of those players, it’s great.”

On the demands that Wane has made of him in reference to changing his game up Newman praised the direct nature of conversation and attributed it to his impressive performances thus far.

“I understood what he wanted from me straight away and he’s always been very direct. Every player knows what Shaun wants from them and it’s been really enjoyable to work with, a different environment,

“Like I said in the first two games, I think I’ve put massive steps into proving what sort of a player I am and like he’s just said then, I know I’ve got a lot more in me and hopefully that will come.”

Newman’s call-up comes following a less than ideal season for club side Leeds Rhinos however it was one in which he remained on the field for the majority of, highlighting that for Newman availability will be his best ability in the coming years given his talent when he does get on the field.

“It’s been probably the proudest moment of my life,” he explained when asked about his call-up.

“When Waney rang me up and told me that I was in, I was ecstatic. Probably not expected. I don’t think I hit my best last season. I struggled with injuries but played the most games I’ve played in a couple of years.

“To get the call and then when he told me I was playing in that first test, I didn’t really know what to say. When they brought our families in and received my first cap off my mum and dad. It’s been special.

“Being around world-class players, around the coaching staff as well, learning a lot every week, I’ve really enjoyed every minute of it.”