Leeds Rhinos signing says the goal is to win “silverware” in 2023

Derrell Olpherts has swapped Castleford Tigers for Leeds Rhinos in 2023 and has already said that he expects silverware to be the goal this season at Headingley.

Speaking to Serious About Rugby League, he said he imagines the goal at the club will be to win a trophy in his first season:

“I wasn’t there last season so I don’t know the goals, I’d imagine it will be silverware which is the same at any club, those things are part and parcel of a new season.”

That said, he admitted that every team goes into the season with a plan to finish first:

“If you’re playing the game you’re wanting to do the best you can, you want to finish first. Obviously, those goals can change in the season like Leeds and Cas where you get to a stage of when you just want to get into the top six.”

Given the number 16 shirt for 2023, there is no guarantee of starting for the former Salford Red Devils man with the likes of Ash Handley and David Fusitu’a in the team.

However, Olpherts just wants to help in whatever way he can:

“I want to help the team anywhere they need to be helped, playing, on the field, off the field, in the team or not in the team, there’s so many ways you can improve and help the team.”

The winger, who can also fill in at centre, admits that Rohan Smith also didn’t have to sell the move “too hard.”

He said:

“He didn’t have to sell it too hard, Leeds Rhinos sells itself really, I think it was just the fact that he tried to get me when I was in League 1 so he had seen my potential back then and he can see more potential in me now and that’s what I want.

“I want to see if I can develop into a different kind of player and a better player than I am now.”