Leeds Rhinos have received a pre-season boost from one of their most influential players. Winger Ash Handley – who will be joint-captain of the side next season, alongside Cameron Smith – has confirmed he will be fit for Betfred Super League round one, following surgery on a wrist.
Handley scored 14 tries in 18 appearances during 2024, making him the club’s player of the year, but missed Leeds’ final five games because of injury.
He is now back in full training and pledged to be ready for Rhinos’ opening fixture against Wakefield Trinity at AMT Headingley on Saturday, February 15.
“It’s getting there,” he said of his recovery. “It’s three or four months on now from my operation.
“I can do everything training-wise, it’s just about getting some strength back in my hand, which is coming along nicely.”
Handley will Rhinos’ joint-captain in his benefit year and admitted leading out his home city club – 11 years on from his debut – will be an honour.
“I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “I think it’s a massive year for the club so I am looking forward to being a part of the captaincy and hopefully we can have a good year.
“It’s a big year for me personally, as well. It is a big year all round and it’s time for us to get back up there challenging.”
Handley and Smith will have a new responsibility next term when captains are given the option to refer a range of decisions made by the match referee to his video assistant.
The captain’s challenge, which operated at the World Cup two years ago, is used in the southern hemisphere NRL and Handley says it is welcome in Super League.
“The referees are making a call on the run and they can’t get every decision right,” he said.
“Sometimes the decision is very impactful on the outcome of the game so if you have a chance to challenge that and hopefully have a fair outcome and get the decision right, it will be better for the game.”
The Leeds Rhinos man added: “Some decisions can be wrong, not because it’s done on purpose, but a split-second decision by the referee can alter the outcome of the game.
“It could be a very important game for a team fighting at the bottom or right at the top of the tree.
“We need it in the game; we need it to move forward and have a fair outcome in what’s going to be a massive competition. I think it’s great for the game.”
