Leeds Rhinos boss Brad Arthur has explained Harry Newman’s absence in the club’s round six victory over Warrington Wolves.
Newman was a surprise omission in the club’s 17, with the England international missing his first game after a run of 47 matches in the side – the most in his career so far.
The Perth Bears-bound man was left out of the side in favour of Jack Bird, who made his home debut after signing from Wests Tigers last month.
Chris Hankinson was also named on the bench and could have been a replacement option, however he didn’t feature and was an unused substitute.
Arthur has now revealed why he made the decision to leave Newman out, and why Bird was the best man to replace him.
The boss explained: “[It was a] tough [decision]. He’s carrying a couple of little bumps, but I just thought it was the right thing to do this week just to let him get on top of his body.
“Jack’s been there. He’s been here for four or five weeks now, training with the team. So I just wanted to freshen it up a little bit.
“But we’re going into a five-day turnaround this week, so there might be a couple more adjustments this week.”
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Leeds Rhinos boss gives verdict on Warrington Wolves victory
The Rhinos scored five tries in the win, including three from winger Maika Sivo, who increased his scoring tally to 14 in six matches.
Bird also crossed in the second half, whilst it was Brodie Croft who dotted down for the match winner.
On the game as a whole, Arthur said: “Our response [from last week’s defeat] obviously was good, but I’m just pleased that we’re happy to win tough and gritty.
“That’s what I’m trying to instil, that we need to play like that all the time… I think we get frustrated if, like last week, it’s not 40-0. We’ve just got to come to the game knowing that teams are turning up to put their best foot forward against us and we have to earn it. No-one’s just going to roll over and give it to us.
“I was happy that when we get into a fight, we’re good, but it’s just not getting frustrated like we did last week and then thinking we just need to win this and win it quickly.”
