Leeds Rhinos coach Brad Arthur 'proud' and 'surprised' by Man of Steel nominees

Rhinos full-back Lachie Miller, who suffered a season-ending hamstring injury three weeks ago, is one of the contenders alongside Wigan Warriors centre Adam Keighran and his teammate hooker Brad O’Neill. Leeds scrum-half Jake Connor, last year’s winner, didn’t make the final cut.

A panel comprising previous winners Ellery Hanley, Paul Sculthorpe, Joe Lydon, James Roby and Sam Tomkins drew up top-fives after Betfred Super League rounds nine, 18 and 27, with those 12 players going on a longlist to decide the final three nominees. Other players on the list of contenders were Connor, Ash Handley and Brodie Croft from Leeds, Wigan’s Bevan French and Jai Field, Jez Litten and Tyrone May (both Hull KR), Leigh Leopards centre Umyla Hanley and St Helens hooker Daryl Clark.

Miller, who made more tackle busts than any other player in Super League this year, led the race after the first third of the season and Arthur was delighted to see him in with a chance of winning the honour at the sport’s awards night next Tuesday. “As a club we are proud of Lachie, he has had a really good season,” Arthur said. “We are so happy for him. It is probably a nice way for him to end his season, especially now he’s injured.”

Connor won this season’s Rhinos player of the year trophy, as well as the fans’ and players’ honours and topped Super League for goals, points, try assists, attacking kicks, 40-20s and

kicks in general play. That wasn’t enough for him to make the top three and Arthur admitted: “It’s unfortunate, we are disappointed, but Jake has got bigger things on his mind, which is about his performance this week.

“It is a bit surprising, but it is what it is. All we can do is worry about how we go and play [against Warrington Wolves] on Friday and getting to Old Trafford should be the only thing on Jake’s mind. I am sure it is.”