Matt Prior has ‘struggled’ with captaincy

When Matt Prior was made captain of the Leeds Rhinos, everyone thought it was natural selection given his leadership skills on the field.

However, according to the NRL Grand Final-winning prop, it’s been an added extra that he didn’t cope too well with to begin with.

“I’ve struggled with it a little bit and it gets me out of my comfort zone,” Prior said.

“It’s been challenging but it’s an opportunity for a bit of growth.”

Prior was keen to stress how big of an achievement it has been for Leeds to qualify for the semi-final play-offs.

“It’s been a massive achievement, we’ve had so many injuries but we’ve managed to make it and now we’ve got a chance and it’s a huge chance for the club.

“We always had a long belief that we could do it, all the blokes that have been injured have come back at the right time and we’re ready to go.

“It’s worked out really well, I thought about eight weeks ago we would get our best team on the park but it wasn’t to be.

“Now, though, it’s worked out this way that we’ve got pretty much our first team on the park bar a couple.”

The Leeds prop is desperate to get to Old Trafford being a big football fan.

“I’d love to play in a Super League Grand Final over here, it would be massive to me.

“I would cherish it forever, I’m a massive football fan but I’m not a Manchester United fan!”