Kevin Sinfield on son Jack as he explains what Rugby League must change

Kevin Sinfield was in attendance last night as Leeds Rhinos hosted their ‘Reunion Round’ to celebrate the anniversaries of their 2004 and 2014 successes. The former Rhinos skipper would then speak on Sky Sports about the current path his son, Jack, is taking at the club.

Jack Sinfield made his Leeds Rhinos debut in 2022 when he started in the halves against Castleford Tigers aged 17 but since then, he has played just 15 games for the club, including just four this season.

He’s still not turned 20 and there are still high hopes for him but also indescribable pressure given the surname Sinfield that he carries and his father, Kevin, spoke about that before Leeds’ victory over Catalans last night.

Kevin Sinfield explained the pair’s relationship: “I just try and be Dad, it’s really simple. I coached him for a couple of years alongside two brilliant friends of mine by the way and right from the start we said, as soon as we turn up for training, I’m your coach, as soon as you get the car to leave, I’m your dad. It has always remained that way.

“If he asks for advice, if he wants anything from me, he knows where I am. But I wanted to be Dad and I want him to enjoy his career, I don’t want him to feel like I’m all on his back, because I’m not at all. I just want him to be happy and I want him to enjoy it.

“When he’s at home, I want that to be a sanctuary. I want it to be a good space for him where he can stay with us as long as he wants and not feel any pressure.”

What Kevin Sinfield would change about Rugby League

He also highlighted a major issue in the sport and what must improve if players like Jack Sinfield are to have any real chance, with Kevin noting the lack of playing time that his son has had.

“I think where the game really needs to look is development.” the ex-Rhinos captain stated.

“I know all sports have a problem between players between 19 and 22, but in particular with Jack, before he played against Warrington at Magic last weekend, he’d played just seven and a half games all year.

“That’s not right for a 19-year-old. It’s just not how we develop kids. So that isn’t Leeds Rhinos’ fault, it’s the game’s fault. We’ve got to change that.”

Asked by Sky Sports pundit Jon Wilkin on how that development path could be changed, Kevin Sinfield was short of an answer but called for a more “player-centric” approach within the sport.

“I wish I had the answer to that. I’ve spent some time at the RFL and I know how difficult a job it is because they’re juggling all sorts of different things but I think if we have a more of a player-centric approach, we can get it right for more players. At the minute, I don’t think we get it right for a lot of players.”

Prior to Leeds’ 18-6 victory over Catalans, Jack Sinfield had played for the club’s reserves in a 33-22 win over Wakefield Trinity.

78’Rhinos 29 – 22 Trinity

Jack Sinfield puts over the drop goal giving the Rhinos a seven point advantage. pic.twitter.com/JaBQbz6FjB

— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) August 23, 2024