One of Leeds Rhinos’ most exciting talents is booming from working alongside the club’s most decorated veteran, coach Brad Arthur has revealed.
Arthur said six-time Grand Final winger Ryan Hall has taken centre Harry Newman “under his wing” since returning to Leeds last autumn and that – coupled with some “tough love” from the coach – has produced impressive results in pre-season.
Newman, who made his 100th appearance for Rhinos in last weekend’s 92-0 hammering of Wests Warriors in the Challenge Cup, is set to team up with Hall on Rhinos’ right edge when Wakefield Trinity visit AMT Headingley in Super League round one on Saturday.
“He has been really good – he has had a great pre-season,” Arthur said of Newman.
“I just hope for his sake he sees the rewards on the field. I’ve given Ryan Hall a bit of a job around taking Harry under his wing and keeping him in check. They’re a bit of an odd couple together, but it’s working well.”
The coach, who arrived at Leeds last July, stressed Newman is “someone I warmed to as soon as I got here”.
He added: “He’s one of the guys who wanted a bit of tough love and I’ve given it to him.
“Every time he gets his head out of the water for a breath, I put my foot back on his head.
“They need to believe in it and see that nothing comes easy and that they have to work hard for it.”
Newman turns 25 next week and the Leeds Rhinos head coach noted: “When I first got here, he was immature. He was a bit loose and flippant, but he has trained so tough and has been so energised with his training.
“He has probably been in our top couple of trainers. He hasn’t missed a minute of a session.
“He has been very good, attitude-wise he has been unreal. It’s like the penny has dropped with him.
“He has matured and we’re hoping to now see all that potential everyone has talked about.
“We want to see that for longer periods of the game where eventually he’s an 80-minute player and is doing it every week.”
