Departing Leeds Rhinos man praises academy starlets

Leeds Rhinos man Luis Roberts has praised the club’s academy players, after his departure from the club has been confirmed.

Six players have been confirmed to be leaving the club at the end of the season, which includes big names such as David Fusitu’a and Rhyse Martin.

One of those players is Luis Roberts, who at 22, already has a wealth of Super League experience at both centre and on the wing.

Previously, he had experience with Leigh Leopards, Widnes Vikings and Swinton Lions in the RFL Championship, but also made two Super League appearances at the age of 18 for Salford Red Devils.

After two seasons playing for the Rhinos in Super League, he’s now on his way out after his contract expires.

Departing Leeds Rhinos man praises academy starlets

Speaking to The Yorkshire Evening Post, Roberts noted the impressive Leeds Rhinos academy, with players such as Alfie Edgell and Riley Lumb stepping up to the first team this year.

He said: “It shows the pathway they have at Leeds and how they develop kids so well.

“That’s something I missed out on and I am glad I came here and learned how they’ve all learned.

“The club is in really safe hands with all these kids coming through. I’ll be a Leeds fan when the young kids play, because they are some of my best mates.

“I have made friends for life here and I’ll definitely have a little tear in the corner of my eye if some of those young lads do well.”

“The people here are amazing and I have really enjoyed it. I have learned so much as a player, but also as a person outside rugby. I have matured so much, I can’t thank everyone enough.”

He admitted: “I’ve played more first team than I expected at Leeds. When I came here, I wasn’t expecting much. I came here to progress myself and if I got a game, that’s good. But I started with Rohan throwing me straight in and it went on from there.”

His 2024 was hampered by injury, but he was thrown in on the wing after being out for four months – in a defeat to Hull KR last week.