Rugby league pundit Terry O’Connor believes Leeds Rhinos will benefit from the fierce competition at hooker between his son Jarrod, Kruise Leeming and Corey Johnson this season. After Rohan Smith arrived at Headingley last May, O’Connor junior gradually emerged as an increasingly important figure in the Rhinos’ side.
The 21-year-old was picked to start at hooker in the two play-off victories away to Catalans Dragons and Wigan Warriors and again in the Grand Final against St Helens. Leeming, who captained Leeds last term, came off the bench in all three games but recently spoke of his determination to prove his class again in 2023 and earn a place in the next England squad after being snubbed for the World Cup.
With Johnson also vying for contention and promising youngster Bailey Aldridge having featuring in the recent friendly against Bradford Bulls, Smith has plenty of options in the game’s most pivotal position. Ex-Wigan prop O’Connor told Leeds Live: “Jarrod just needs to keep performing, but the good thing is that he’s got an England nine there in Kruise Leeming, plus Corey Johnson competing for a spot and young Bailey Aldridge pushing through the ranks.
Read more: Kai Pearce-Paul's message to Dom Young as NRL move threatens future partnership
“From where Jarrod started last season to how he finished it made for a fantastic breakthrough year for him in 2022. I’m speaking as his dad now but he put in so much hard work to get to where he is and it was probably harder for him with me being in the background and working for Sky.
“I saw all the hard work that he did to gain the respect of the senior players around him at Leeds and become a part of the first-team, which was massive for Jarrod.”
It is worth remembering that O’Connor was a novice at hooker until Smith converted him from a back-rower and convinced him he could perform there.
“Jarrod never played hooker as an amateur,” added O’Connor. “He knows now that he’s got competition in that position – Kruise in particular has got the bit between his teeth this year but also Corey – and the good thing for Leeds is that such fierce competition brings the best of you.
“They all know that they have to be right on top of their game and I’d like to think that Kruise being at his best can bring the best out of Jarrod and Corey. When there is competition for places, the team benefits massively.”
O’Connor said his son’s fierce competitiveness makes him want to be the best at everything he does. He explained: “Jarrod wants to be the number-one hooker at Leeds, he wants to win at Connect 4 and he wants to beat me at wrestling… which he can’t do, let me tell you!
“Whatever it may be, he wants to be the best. He’s always been competitive and as a kid he played rugby and was into boxing as well. He had a few fights but finished boxing when he was 16 and signed on for Widnes Vikings. Jarrod was a very good boxer and they wanted him to continue on but he chose rugby league.”
It is approaching four years since Leeds signed O’Connor and his then Widnes Academy team-mate Sam Walters, who also rose to prominence under Smith last year. Walters, a strapping second-rower, showed his value at prop and O’Connor added: “When a coach shows good faith in you, you’ve got to go out there and do what he wants you to do.
“There were a number of younger players, including Jarrod and Sam, who took their chance under Rohan last year. Morgan Gannon is another one and his rise in the last couple of years has been quite remarkable. I think with Rohan using Sam as a prop, he’s now got to realise that his days of standing out wide as a second-rower are probably over. Rohan wants to use him in the middle but he proved his worth there and, with his ability to offload the ball, can be a massive asset.
“Significantly, as we have seen during the pre-season friendlies, Rohan likes his players to be able to play in different positions, which is what the modern game demands. It gives you a better understanding of rugby league as a whole and how each position works.”
Click here to pre-order our Super League season preview and get a copy delivered to your door. Featuring exclusive interviews, features, big name columnists and a dedicated page for every Super League club, it's everything you need to know for the new season.
Read next
Salford Red Devils rebuff Brodie Croft asking price as contract talks continue
Rugby league players urged to be smarter after refusing to wear concussion gumshields
Salford Red Devils reject six-figure NRL offer for Man of Steel Brodie Croft
Tom Johnstone's retirement revelation after opening up on concussion trauma
Mikey Lewis hints at solving Hull KR's biggest issue after social media post
