Kruise Leeming is up for the challenge of captaining Leeds Rhinos again next season. The 27-year-old was appointed skipper as successor to Matt Prior ahead of the 2022 campaign by then head coach Richard Agar.
But Agar threw in the towel just six games into the season and Rohan Smith arrived from Australia to conjure a stunning revival which ended up with a Grand Final appearance against St Helens. Leeming captained the team at Old Trafford in what marked one of the proudest moments of his career but it remains to be seen whether he will retain the armband ahead of the new season.
Leeming told Leeds Live: “It was an honour to be captain this year and to lead the lads out at Old Trafford and Headingley as well. It’s been fantastic and I’ve loved every minute of it.
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“I don’t think the captaincy of a club as big as Leeds Rhinos is something you give away easily. If Rohan thinks there is someone better suited than me to captain the team then that’s a different conversation and that would be fair enough. I’m not a bitter person and I want what’s best for the team but, equally, I’d be more than up for doing it again because I’ve loved it.”
Leeming is gearing up for a big 2023 campaign after voicing his desire to win back a place in the England squad after being snubbed by Shaun Wane for the World Cup. The 27-year-old told Leeds Live earlier this week that he wanted to emerge as the best hooker in Super League this coming season.
Whether or not he retains the captaincy at Headingley remains to be seen, but Leeming stated: “There’s a long way to go through pre-season yet. If you’ve got a household name as a captain – such as a Kevin Sinfield – then they are almost a shoo-in for the job.
“Obviously I’m a young captain, I’m still making mistakes and learning myself how to play the game and also be a leader. As much as I’ve loved it this year, it’s been a different challenge for me, something that I’ve never been faced with before.
“Throughout my career, all I’ve been faced with is worrying about me being the best version of myself which, ultimately, is the worrying about the team because if I play well the team benefits. Being captain during the past year has given me a different outlook on rugby and I’ve enjoyed it a lot.
“I think Rohan has been good for me as well but I genuinely believe that nobody is born a leader. You become one with the right people around you and the right advice – and I think I’ve got that. Regardless of whether I retain the armband, I will still continue to lead.”
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