Leeds Rhinos coach Brad Arthur salutes 'competitor' Brodie Croft as Harry Newman and Ryan Hall prove a point

Croft, who will join Warrington Wolves next season, was the star turn in Rhinos’ 52-0 thrashing of Huddersfield Giants in Betfred Super League round 12. The stand-off has said he is keen to join a club closer to his home in the Manchester area and the perils of crossing the Pennines were illustrated when Friday’s kick-off had to be pushed back 15 minutes because players and officials were delayed by an accident on the M62.

Croft, who wasn’t caught in the motorway chaos, was booed by some fans before the game, but won them over with a dominant performance which included his 14th try of the season, a tackle to prevent Giants scoring and four assists. Arthur said: “He was good. He just competes hard. He knows his role in the team, he is important to the team and he is a winner - he wants to win.”

Arthur stressed: “His decision is purely around family. Have a look at the M62 [on Friday], it is lucky he comes over on the morning of games and stays to get his preparations right. It is just hard with his travel.”

Midway through the first half Croft barged Giants winger Connor Carr into touch when he looked a certain scorer, then went in for a try at the other end in the next set. Arthur said: “He just competes, he wants to make sure every week he competes for his team mates and the club and he is doing that for us.”

Arthur was also delighted with Harry Newman’s two-try performance in front of a 14,000 crowd against his home town club. Playing alongside winger Ryan Hall - who was also among the try scorers - it was Newman’s second game since a three-match loan spell with Hull FC and the coach enthused: “He was good, he was good defensively.

“I challenged the right-edge during the week about having a bit more urgency and not being an edge teams want to target. They took it quite personal, which was good and they responded in the best way possible.”