Here's why Harry Newman didn't play in Leeds Rhinos' 26-22 win v Warrington Wolves as Jack Bird praised
Coach Brad Arthur has explained his decision to leave England centre Harry Newman out of the Leeds Rhinos side which beat Warrington Wolves 26-22 at AMT Headingley on Sunday.
Australian Jack Bird, who joined Rhinos from Wests Tigers last month, came into the team for his home debut and scored a vital try as Leeds hit back from 12-0 down to end the visitors’ 100 per cent start to the campaign. Newman was ever-present last year and played in Leeds’ first seven games of this season and Arthur admitted his omission was “tough”.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Arthur said: “He is carrying a couple of little bumps and that, but I just thought it was the right thing to do this week - let him get on top of his body. Jack has been here for four or five weeks now, training with the team. I just wanted to freshen it up a bit. We are going into a five-day turn around this week so there might be a couple more adjustments this week.”
Bird had an eventful game, being placed on report in the second half. “He did a really good job,” Arthur said of the former State of Origin three-quarter. “I think that was helped by Crofty [Brodie Croft] on the inside of him and Macca [James McDonnell]. Hally [Ryan Hall] as well. I think the right-edge did a really good job. It helps when everyone does their job, it allows everyone else to play their role.”