Leeds Rhinos star Harry Newman is regarded as one of the best young players in Super League but things haven’t always gone to plan for the young Leeds centre. Newman made his debut in 2017 in a 34-0 win away at Wigan Warriors becoming the first player born in the 21st Century to play in Super League.
This came with Brian McDermott having an eye on the Challenge Cup semi-final the week after and with Leeds cemented in second in the league before the competition split off into the Super 8s.
However, it was soon very clear that Newman had a bright future and was used throughout the 2018 season. In 2019, he quickly cemented himself in the side and was perhaps part of the reason Leeds were willing to let go of then skipper and England international Kallum Watkins who joined Gold Coast Titans prior to joining Salford Red Devils.
He took on Watkins’ number three shirt in 2020 and was in sensational form from the start of the season. He carried that on after the lockdown due to the pandemic but just before Leeds reached Wembley he would suffer a cruel double leg break. This didn’t stop him from picking up the Young Player of the Year award.
The Leeds centre returned from injury in 2021 and didn’t miss a beat and looked set for a massive season in 2022. It was around this time Newman turned down NRL interest and interest from rugby union sides to agree an extension with Leeds.
But before he could have what appeared set to be a break out year for the Leeds centre, he suffered a hamstring strain. This would be the first of four hamstring injuries that would stifle Newman throughout 2022 and 2023.
This cost him England opportunities and the chance to play in the Super League Grand Final in 2022. However, he has now been given his chance for England and this, according to the Daily Telegraph in Australia, has sparked interest in Newman from several NRL clubs.
As aforementioned, Newman previously turned down interest from NRL clubs but a move for him again with the centre out of contract at the end of 2024 could be difficult to turn down. Leeds do have some exciting young players in the position however such as Max Simpson and others who could fill that role.
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