Leeds Rhinos second-rower James McDonnell is having somewhat of a breakout season as a stalwart of the Rhinos pack and has improved season after season.
McDonnell managed to grab four tries in Leeds’ 28-0 victory over Salford Red Devils on Friday night in a player-of-the-match performance from the 25-year-old.
The Rhinos forward only got two tries across the entire 2024 Super League season and he now has five tries to his name in 2025 already.
He’s also been an asset in their defence as their top tackle-maker across the seven rounds so far.
Speaking to Jenna Brooks on Sky Sports after the match, he was quick to admit that his try-scoring days might be over now.
He said:Â “I think I scored four in 27 rounds last year so it’s an improvement already. I think I’ve probably used up my entire luck for the year already so that might be me done for the year!”
However, he was credited halfback Jake Connor who was playing in yet another halfback combination in 2025 alongside Matt Frawley, with youngster Jack Sinfield on the bench.
McDonnell’s third try was set up by Connor and the Leeds forward was happy to point out it was more about Connor’s skills than his own.
He added: “All credit to Jake, he put it on a dime for me. It’s down to Jake really, the tempo that he plays at.
“It was obviously a short turnaround from a change in the halfbacks. Matt Frawley only had a couple of sessions to get used to his tempo and it was a connection that was clearly working for us tonight.”
McDonnell complimented the Salford squad on the way they’re still giving it everything they have in every game they play, despite their off-field situation.
The Leeds Rhinos forward said it was definitely a challenge to face them and his side might have tried a little too hard in the first half.
He said: “Salford have still got spirit, they’ve got heart, they threw absolutely everything at us, they’re tricky to play against, they throw the ball around, they’re not as straight-forward as some other teams.
“They stretched us, they challenged us, we just had to be a bit more composed. I think we tried to rush it a little bit (in the first half) instead of building the game but we composed ourselves at half-time.”
McDonnell also wanted to call out one of his Leeds Rhinos teammates who was jealous of his try-scoring tally for the night.
He finished: “Harry Newman will be moaning all day that he didn’t get one.”
