Star full-back Lachie Miller reckons he can improve on his outstanding form in 2025 - and insists Leeds Rhinos are “in a good place” as they enter the final weeks of pre-season.

The Australian former rugby union sevens Olympian had only 19 first grade games of league under his belt at the time he joined Rhinos from Newcastle Knights in 2024. Despite his inexperience in the 13-a-side code, he was sixth in the Man of Steel voting at the end of his debut campaign and fourth last season, when he was also voted Rhinos’ fans’ player of the year and made more metres than anyone else in Betfred Super League.

He admitted: “I was happier with how I went last year compared to the year before, but there were still a lot of things I wanted to work on, as well as my overall fitness. Not having a pre-season last year was hard. I think I did reasonably well, but there’s definitely a lot more to work on heading into this year. I am very excited, but I do want to take my game to the next level, if possible.”

Calf muscle and hamstring issues disrupted Miller’s build up to last season and meant he missed Rhinos’ opening five games, but there are no such worries this time. “Pre-season has been really good, really enjoyable,” Miller stressed. “I think everyone’s quite fit and personally I am in a good place, definitely compared to this time last year.

Leeds Rhinos' star full-back Lachie Miller wants to take his game to another level this year. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.

placeholder image — Leeds Rhinos' star full-back Lachie Miller wants to take his game to another level this year. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.

“I am really looking forward to the rest of pre-season and our first game. Most people have been in and around the rehab facility at some stage in their career and it is pretty frustrating, you feel very isolated and don’t feel like you’re part of the team. That’s what I struggled with a bit last year, but it’s very good to be in with the team, doing the hard work and also those combinations we started to work on towards the end of last year. I think a full pre-season with those combinations is going to do us good.”

Injuries permitting, Rhinos will have a settled spine this year, with Miller at full-back, Brodie Croft in the stand-off role and Jake Connor - the reigning Man of Steel - playing scrum-half. “I thought last year we improved with each game we got to play together,” Miller reflected.

“I thought at stages we played really good footy and at stages we let our team down with our decision making, but we had a lot of last season together and a full pre-season and you pick up on little cues playing with each other, which you don’t get unless you spend time together. I think it will benefit us hugely and also Jake, having another season at seven. Last year was one of his first proper seasons at seven and he did what he did, so it is pretty exciting.”

The form of Leeds Rhinos' youngsters, including Joe Diskin seen being tackled by Wakefield Trinty's Myles Lawford, impressed watching full-back Lachie Miller on Boxing Day. Picture by Steve Riding.

A young Rhinos side beat Wakefield Trinity 18-10 on Boxing Day and Leeds have two more pre-season hit-outs - at Castleford Tigers on Sunday, January 18 and home to Bradford Bulls six days later - before their season begins with a Challenge Cup third round tie away to Championship or non-league opposition. There’s still work to be done ahead of Super League round one, when Rhinos visit Leigh Leopards on February 14, but Miller reckons the signs point to a strong year.

“The team on Boxing Day against Wakefield showed glimpses of what we are about,” he enthused. “They were physical and worked hard for each other and all the young lads who played did a really good job and definitely put their foot forward for selection come round one.

“We haven’t had a massive turnover of people, which helps. Everyone knows how Brad [Arthur, Rhinos’ coach] wants us to play and we’ve had a full year with that now. Everyone knows what’s expected and we’re enjoying our time at training. I think we are in a really good place at the moment.”

This year was due to be the last on Miller’s original contract, but he signed a new deal in October which will keep him at Leeds until the end of 2027, with the club holding an option for another 12 months. He added: “Since stepping foot in the door, whether it be the staff or the boys I’ve played with, Leeds has been such an amazing place for me and my family. We are very happy here and we are not in any rush to jet off anywhere. It is our home now, we really enjoy it and we’re really happy we’ve signed an extension.”