Leeds Rhinos boss drops big selection hint and gives update on loanee

Boss Brad Arthur has revealed the thinking behind Leeds Rhinos’ surprise loan signing from Huddersfield Giants.

Winger Elliot Wallis – who has also played for Castleford Tigers and Hull KR – joined Rhinos two weeks ago, but has yet to be named in a 21-man squad and is not in contention for tomorrow’s (Friday) visit of Hull FC.

Wallis has been out of favour at Giants, despite their poor start to the campaign and, speaking about the move for the first time, Arthur stressed he has effectively joined Rhinos on a trial basis.

“He just needs some reps, some consistency,” Arthur said at his weekly preview press conference today.

“He is liking the level of intensity we are training at; he is getting a lot of training reps against some quality opposition, which he is enjoying.

“He came here looking for an opportunity and we’ve given him that. A good thing for us right now is we are reasonably healthy, but he will get an opportunity to play in the reserves at some stage. At the moment, he is just enjoying the training.”

Leeds Rhinos boss makes half-back call ahead of Hull FC clash

Arthur confirmed winger Ryan Hall, stand-off Brodie Croft and co-captain Cameron Smith will all return from injury against Hull.

Scrum-halves Matt Frawley and Jack Sinfield are also included in Rhinos’ initial squad, but the coach hinted Croft and Connor will be this week’s six and seven pairing.

“They haven’t had much time together so we need to give them a bit of time, but I’d like to think that should be our best combination,” he stated.

“In saying that, young Sinfield did a really good job for us [in the win against St Helens at Magic Weekend] and you could see with his back-to-back games he got better.

“He is a young fella forging his career and he just needs an opportunity and four or five games in a row, but he understands where he sits and he is here to learn.”

Smith hasn’t played since suffering a foot injury against Salford Red Devils in Betfred Super League round two, three months ago.

“Cam has been out for a long time so our expectations of him this week aren’t too high in terms of game time and minutes,” Arthur said.  “He will come off the bench.”