There has been a lot of speculation around one player in recent weeks and months and that man is Leeds Rhinos star Harry Newman.
Born in Huddersfield, the young centre came through the Leeds academy and debuted in 2017 as the first player born in the 21st Century to feature in Super League having been born in 2000.
Newman played a small role in the 2018 season before growing to replace Kallum Watkins in 2019 and taking the number three shirt in 2020 a season that saw the centre win the Super League Young Player of the Year award. Sadly he missed out on Wembley due to a double leg break.
This tragedy was repeated in 2022 when he missed the Grand Final due to a hamstring injury as he continued to be tormented by injury.
However, at the end of 2023 he finally got a big break making his England debut scoring in the third test against Tonga which helped reignite the interest in him and at a terrible time for the Rhinos.
At the end of 2021, Newman was receiving interest then and the Rhinos secured him to a deal that expires at the end of 2024 which is why the interest around him is peaking.
But what is the situation around Newman? Here is our assessment.
Leeds Rhinos
Recently, Serious About Rugby League revealed that Leeds had begun the process of retaining Newman. This likely means the club have spoken to Newman and his representatives and maybe even put a contract offer on the table to retain the young centre.
Super League Rivals
However, they may not be the only Super League side interested in the services of one of the league’s best wingers. Few players were able to trouble St Helens at their peak under Kristian Woolf, but Newman could. The Saints are in need of a centre and so Newman would be an ideal signing. They would likely have to wait until the end of 2024 to get him which would be a long and risky wait. Other Super League clubs could be interested such as home town club Huddersfield Giants.
NRL Interest
Newman though is on the radar of NRL clubs according to reports and some have even entered what has been described as a “bidding war” with the likes of Leeds and other Super League clubs. Which NRL clubs are leading the interest is unclear but it is likely that Newman will explore his options.
Rugby Union Move
It isn’t widely known, but Harry Newman has played the 15 man code and rugby union clubs are again interested in the young centre. That being said, it is likely that this is the most unlikely destination for the Huddersfield born centre. There is a long way to go for Newman to decide his future,
Verdict: Stays at Leeds Rhinos
Leeds are in pole position due to the rules about approaching off contract players in Super League. The Rhinos are in talks with Newman and expect them to reach an agreement which sees the centre stay at the club.
