24 March 2023 , 16:45
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Leeds star Harry Newman’s ready to go full tilt again - and show why Betfred Super League should be loved.
The injury-ravaged centre, 23, has had to be patient returning from the hamstring problem that ruled him out of last year’s Grand Final and most of the campaign. Cautious Rhinos medical staff ruled he should just feature from the bench in his try-scoring comeback against Wakefield.
And then they only allowed Newman - one of the competition's brightest young talents - to play the first half of last week’s 14-8 loss at Castleford. But the England hopeful aims to go longer when Leeds face Catalans in Saturday's televised lunchtime showdown.
Newman told Mirror Sport : “They’ve just said I’m playing so whatever they decide… but I am raring to go. It’s back at Headingley - my favourite place to play - and on Channel 4 so it’s good publicity for our sport which we need. Everyone compares Super League to the NRL but St Helens went over there and won the World Club Challenge so it shows we do have a great product.
“It’s just how it’s publicised and looked upon. All the games on Channel 4 last year and this have had big numbers watching them. It’s not a channel you have to sign up for and pay extra money. I’d encourage as many people as possible to watch it.”
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The sight of the exciting Newman in full flow again will not only please Super League bosses as they look to strike a new broadcast deal but also Leeds fans. Their club has lost three of their opening five games following a frustrating start. Life doesn’t get any easier against a Catalans side who have won all their fixtures so far.
Newman conceded: “Catalans are a good team. They've been up there now for the last few years. They've got some good players but for us it’s fixing up what we did wrong last week which is pretty minor really. It’s just holding onto the ball. We didn’t really give ourselves a chance at Cas and that's what we’ll look to improve on against Catalans. On our day, we know we can compete and beat anyone.”
And Newman, who suffered a horrendous double leg fracture in 2020, must be desperate for a consistent run of games - and sick of people asking about his injuries? He replied: “Yes, but it’s part of the game isn't it? I know I’m only 23 and I’ve had my fair share of them. But we’re playing Catalans this week and you look at Tom Johnstone. He’s had his fair share of injuries and he’s going well.
Leeds Rhinos' Harry Newman scores against Wakefield (Varley Picture Agency/REX/Shutterstock)"I’ve always got that belief that when I do come back that it doesn’t scare me. What will be, will be. But I've got full confidence in what I've done this time around and I’m just excited to be back playing now. I had 25 minutes in my first game, 40 minutes last week and I’m just building it up slightly.”
Newman has urged Leeds fans to stay patient with the squad as they seek to find some consistency. Losses against Warrington and Hull were followed by wins at St Helens and against Wakefield before last week’s disappointment at Wheldon Road. He admitted: “It’s been a mixed bag.
"There’s been games where we've played well, like the game at home to Hull FC that we should have won. We didn’t take our chances. We didn’t hold the ball well enough. I don’t think it’s necessarily been other teams tearing us apart. It’s been our own doing. And it’s only Round Six this week. You only have to look at last season and where we were at Round 11 when Rohan (Smith) took over. We've got a great squad, great young players, new signings still gelling and we’ve shown glimpses of what we can do. It’s all going to come together soon and we will be firing.”
Leeds, of course, will be without Kruise Leeming after their former captain requested the chance to move club. The talented hooker’s understood to be destined for Gold Coast Titans in a move that has taken many by surprise. But Newman maintained: “It’s like injuries; it’s another part of the game. Players come and go.
“The lads loved him and he’s a great player. Everyone wishes him the best. But he's moved on now. He’s not a part of us anymore so all we can do is focus on the team that we’ve got. We haven’t spoken about it much. We're just focusing on us and what we need to do to get better every week.”