25 December 2023 , 18:00
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He spent time on rugby union’s sevens circuit and didn’t make his first-grade rugby league debut until the age of 27.
But the only number Leeds signing Lachie Miller is bothered about now is one.
The exciting Aussie, set to debut in the Boxing Day friendly against Wakefield and out to make Rhinos’ full-back shirt his own, has had a circuitous path to Super League.
He played for Australia’s union sevens team at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 before breaking onto the NRL scene with Cronulla two years later.
But Miller caught the eye most after joining Newcastle Knights last season, making a dozen appearances and dazzling at times with his pace.
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However, with superstar captain Kalyn Ponga returning to the full-back position and claiming the Dally M Medal as the NRL’s best player, he knew chances of bagging his favoured No.1 role long-term were limited.
Miller, 29, still had two years of his deal to run at Newcastle but they released him so he could take up Leeds’ offer - and now he hopes to shine in the UK instead.
“I’m really enjoying it,” he said.
“The weather’s been the big difference. And I’m still adjusting to it being dark at 4pm!
“But that’s not too bad. We’ve obviously come to a great club and they’ve helped me and my family settle in.
“Everything’s good. And now I’m really looking forward to getting out on the field and playing some footy.
“That’s my main focus. [Showing what I can do] and cementing a regular spot.”
Miller has first stab at full-back with Rhinos allowing ex-England international Richie Myler to join Championship part-timers York in 2024.
And he hopes to bring some of the dash and dare shown in sevens to Super League.
Myler has left Leeds for Championship outfit York (PA)Miller explained: “In sevens, there’s not as much structure and it’s playing what you see, playing into the spaces, so that vision - being able to adjust on the move - is one of the big things I brought back.
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“And then obviously evasion and finding space.
“The Olympics was what I was really focused on back then.
“When that happened then I started to think I could maybe get back into league. It was something I knew I wanted to do because I grew up with league. And it all fell into place.”
And his former Cronulla boss Craig Fitzgibbon, the ex-Kangaroos second-row who earned iconic status during his two years with Hull in 2010 and 2011, sold him the idea of Super League.
Miller said: “When the conversations about Leeds first came up, he was one of the first people I rang. I gave him a call and he had amazing reviews about things over here so it made it all easier. “He’s a really good person and very easy to speak to.
“And there’s some really good people at the Rhinos.”