It appeared Kruise Leeming may have dropped a big hint on the future of the Leeds Rhinos captaincy at the club's media day. As the squad took their places for the annual team photo, the hooker took his seat, front row and centre, the traditional position occupied by the captain.
However, that wasn't the case at all. There's a big smile on Leeming's face when the topic is broached. He wore the armband during the 2022 season having been given the responsibility by previous coach Richard Agar and remained in the position once Rohan Smith took charge.
Yet, Smith has been coy on the subject throughout the year, batting off any questions attempting to pry information from him. He has instead suggested that the club's leadership model may change in structure.
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But Smith's stance is not just a mask in public. Leeming himself admits that they haven't once discussed the matter throughout the season, despite the fact there are only three weeks until the start of the new campaign. For now, Leeming is continuing to fulfil his duties until told otherwise, representing the club at the coin toss, leading them out on the field and everything else in between.
"I wish I could turn around and tell you who it is," Leeming admitted. "He's kept it close to his chest, even from me. I'm going about my business as usual, as if I am. I'm doing the coin toss and leading them out. Unless he says differently I'm going on. Look, I've loved it, I want to be the captain of Leeds, I love this club. If he decides to go another way, whoever he picks will get my support and I'll help in any way that I can.
"We speak at length about rugby, about me becoming a better person and leader, but he's not spoken to me about being the captain and I've not asked him."
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