Leeds Rhinos skipper Kruise Leeming “close” to a return

A year ago, Kruise Leeming was Leeds’ best player.

There was a real argument to say that he had become the best hooker in the league confirmed by the fact he was named in the Super League Dream Team at nine which also led to his first England cap in the win over France at the end of 2021.

Leeming was then awarded the captain’s armband at Headingley following in the footsteps of the likes of Danny McGuire, John Holmes, Iestyn Harris, Kevin Sinfield and of course another hooker to hold the Rhinos captaincy David Ward.

Though Leeds’ season started poorly, Leeming himself continued to be a real key figure at nine and as Leeds began turning things around under Rohan Smith, Leeming was playing a key role with some stunning tries against Warrington and Hull FC.

In fact he scored twice in the win at the MKM Stadium in what could be described as Leeds’ best win of the season as they scored 62 points making it Leeds’ biggest away win since 2009.

But it would prove to be a costly afternoon for Leeming as he picked up a potentially season ending injury.

The hooker picked up a stress fracture in his foot in that game which left him facing a spell of six to 12 weeks on the sidelines. If he didn’t get back until week 12, it would see his season over as well as his England hopes up in smoke.

But it now seems we will see Leeming again before the end of the season with the Rhinos skipper giving an update on his fitness as he featured on BBC’s Super League Show as a guest.

“I’m in a good place,” Leeming said, “I’ve kept myself really fit. I don’t want to put a time frame or a game on it but I’m close now.

“The medical team at Leeds have been fantastic but yeah I’m nearly there.”