Sky Sports pundit Jon Wilkin has torn into Leeds Rhinos signing Jake Connor whilst tipping him to have a brilliant season.
In a devastating statement, Wilkin has labelled the Leeds Rhinos back as both “selfish” and “petulant” but backed him to have huge success under head coach Brad Arthur.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ coverage of Super League’s opening game between Wigan Warriors and Leigh Leopards, the outspoken pundit was asked who or what was he most excited about for the 2025 Super League season.
His initial response was fairly standard as he noted excitement about seeing the former Huddersfield Giants man at Headingley, however, he quickly descended into a brutal assessment of his time at Huddersfield.
“Well, I’m looking forward to seeing Jake Connor in action with Brad Arthur as the coach at Leeds Rhinos,” Wilkin said.
He then added: “This man (Connor) has spent three years wasting his career. I think his attitude has been petulant, I think his willingness to collaborate with his teammates and sacrifice himself hasn’t been there.
“I think he’s been incredibly selfish and petulant and sulked within games and sacrificed his team for his own ends and he’s been unfit.”
At times last season, Wilkin criticised Connor for being too involved in on-field spats as opposed to committing his defensive duties and he’s once again taken aim.
In his opening games with Leeds Rhinos, Connor has shone and Wilkin believes that is down to the coaching of Brad Arthur.
He said: “I think Brad Arthur has come in said to him ‘You’re not going to play unless you get fit’.
“He’s got fit right so why I’m excited is Jake Connor when he’s on form, fit and engaged is the most scintillating player and one of the best players in our competition.
“Brad Arthur is why I’m excited because Brad Arthur and Jake Connor together could be different.”
Warrington Wolves boss Sam Burgess was also doing punditry duty on Sky Sports and he agreed with the excitement around Connor, if not the comments about him being selfish.
Burgess said: “I’d agree with Jon. Listen, there is so much potential in Jake Connor. I played with him at a test in Denver and he’s a great guy to be around.
“I called him last year just to check in on him and under some strong leadership, which seems to be the case, he’s been phenomenal in the early season games.”
Connor has been named in Leeds Rhinos’ squad to take on Wakefield Trinity on Saturday and is expected to start at full-back whilst Lachie Miller recovers from injury.
