Off-contract Leeds Rhinos star on ‘big year’ and impact of new signing

Leeds Rhinos prop Mikolaj Oledzki has revealed the new signing he’d much rather play with than against.

Jake Connor joined Leeds in the off-season, after being a thorn in the Rhinos’ side during previous stints with Hull FC and Huddersfield Giants.

He scored a brace of tries and two conversions in a Man of the Match performance when Rhinos beat Wakefield Trinity in their opening pre-season game last week and Oledzki reckons that is a sign of what’s to come at Leeds from the former England back.

“He is a very, very skilful player,” Oledzki said. “Some of the stuff he does in training, you think ‘wow’.

“He goes out there and plays the game like he wants to and we are just all part of it. It’s great to have him on our team and not be playing against him.”

First try as a Rhinos player for Jake Connor in today’s @wetherbywhaler Festive Challenge 👊

— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) December 26, 2024

Rhinos also gave a Christmas run out to academy players Joe Diskin, Harley Thomas, Marcus Qareqare and George Brown, who scored the winning try.

“They all rip in at training and they all deserved to get out there and show Brad [Arthur, Rhinos’ coach] and the fans what’s coming up in the next few years,” Oledzki added.

“They are all great lads and good players as well and to see them get the minutes, it’s really good. It is the reward for their hard work and what they’ve been doing at training when we do 13 v 13.

“They make us better because they train well and they really want to impress. It is great to have them coming up.”

Off-contract Leeds Rhinos star claims ‘best rugby is coming’

On a personal note, Oledzki is entering the final year of his Rhinos contract but stressed that is not his main motivation for 2025.

He insisted: “It is a big year anyway for me. I feel like the last two years, I wasn’t where I wanted to be – I was a little bit off from where I wanted to be as a player.

“Of course I know that and there are people who make sure I know that too. Sometimes it can be a bit tough because you are looking for form and you get a bit of stick here and there, but we have got a great coach in BA and he has invested a lot of time into me, to make me better.

“He has simplified things for me and really worked on the detail in my game. [On Boxing Day] I felt great and I feel like I am enjoying my rugby.

“Whenever I enjoy my rugby, I know some of the best rugby is coming my way. I am really looking forward to the new season.”

Leeds face Wigan Warriors in Ash Handley’s testimonial game on January 26 before beginning their competitive campaign in the Challenge Cup two weeks later.

Oledzki accepts they have work to do before then, but feels the victory over Wakefield was an encouraging first hit-out.

He said: “I thought we started well, with good intent, which is something we want to pride ourselves on – the start of the game.

“There were a lot of positives, but if we want to keep striving for better and reach where we want to be, we know we can find things to improve on from that game.”