Jon Wilkin labels Leeds Rhinos’ signing of Zak Hardaker as ‘desperate’ as he warns the club and Super League

Zak Hardaker perhaps surprised everybody by re-signing with Leeds Rhinos, six years after last playing for the club.

It also wasn’t a happy ending at Headingley, with Hardaker putting in a transfer request to leave before moving to local rivals Castleford Tigers.

A move to Wigan Warriors then came about ahead of the 2019 Super League season before he left the club last week.

And, for Jon Wilkin, it’s a surprise that he has gone back to Headingley.

“I’m surprised he’s gone there and that he’s got a new club so quickly and especially Leeds Rhinos,” Wilkin said on Sky Sports.

“He put in a transfer request to leave a few years ago and it’s a sign of where Leeds are at that they’ve signed Zak Hardaker so quickly.

“They are in a crisis, their outside backs have been decimated by injuries and someone of Zak’s experience will be huge for them.”

However, Wilkin does have reservations about the move and the idea that Hardaker is constantly in the public limelight.

“Are sportspeople role models? I don’t think Zak is a role model for young people – there are a lot of sportspeople who aren’t as it’s a position you end up getting thrust into.

“He’s an incredible talent but he’s got too many character flaws to be exceptional at what he does.”

Wilkin believes that if it goes wrong again, though, it won’t just be Leeds that will be ruing the mistake.

“I think it’s a desperate piece of business from Leeds Rhinos, they need some experience and talent – they are pretty much to the bare bones, but where’s the line?

“How big is the Leeds Rhinos brand and maintaining it and seeming credible to the sponsors and fans? How important is a philosophy that underlines the brand?

“You can get a guy in and go against everything you stand for and trample all over your club so Leeds have got to be careful.

“If it goes wrong again its not only Leeds that have got egg on their face but the whole game has because the guy has repeatedly messed up throughout his career and gets another opportunity.”