Harry Newman has his say on comparisons to Leeds Rhinos’ golden generation

Harry Newman is back in the Leeds Rhinos squad.

The centre, regarded by some as the best centre in Super League, has miraculously overcome a third hamstring injury to be in contention for Leeds’ play-off clash with Catalans Dragons.

Though he still has to get through a series of vigorous tests with Liam Tindall still the man expected to play instead of Newman following Ash Handley’s injury, just having him in the squad is a major boost especially should Leeds progress with the centre no doubt hungry for a final appearance after missing Leeds’ 2020 Challenge Cup Final win with a broken leg.

Recently, Newman spoke about his motivations to win, his desire and what he’s trying to develop as a player on Sky Sports’ terrific new show Super League in the Detail, and now with play-off rugby beckoning him after injury, some of his comments have greater meaning especially his comments on whether the young men in Leeds’ side should be compared with Leeds’ famous golden generation which won eight Grand Finals from 2004-17.

Newman told host Jon Wells that the players try and avoid comparing themselves to that group of players as they strive to write their own history: “Everyone spoke about the last golden generation. We don’t want to compare ourselves to that. That’s the past, they achieved lots of great things.”

He did however talk up the young men in the side a lot and noted that they want to stick together to win things as a group, much like the golden generation: “Since Rohan’s come in you’ve only got to look at how many young lads have come in and how many young lads are playing well. Morgan Gannon has been amazing, he’s 18 years old. Mikolaj, Cam Smith, Ash all under the age of 25, 26 and we’ve got a group of players that are close that want to stick together and achieve something.”

That togetherness has now doubt carried Newman along since his injury at Hull KR and he was elated on the touchline when Leeds beat Castleford last week.

It remains to be seen whether he can play a role in keeping Leeds’ season alive this week against Catalans.