Leeds Rhinos news: 1st-choice forward to return v Hull KR but overseas star will play for reserves
A first-choice player is set to make his Leeds Rhinos comeback at home to Hull KR on Friday, but another will be on duty for the reserves.
Speaking at his weekly preview press conference today (Wednesday), coach Brad Arthur confirmed prop-forward Tom Holroyd will return to Rhinos’ 17 in place of Presley Cassell who has been among the substitutes for the past three games. Cassell and former State of Origin centre Jack Bird will play in the second-string’s curtain-raiser against Wigan Warriors.
Holroyd has missed four games because of a back injury, though he was in the initial 21-man squad for three of those. Arthur revealed: “Tom Holroyd will come back in and Pres will go and play 80 minutes for the reserves on Friday night.
“Pres has done a really good job, he has done nothing concerning or nothing wrong to not be in the team. He had a game where he didn’t get any minutes, then he got 30 and 25 or so, so it will be a good opportunity to take a couple of weeks of experience back into the reserves and get 80 minutes.”
Holroyd played in Rhinos’ first 13 competitive games this year before his injury. Arthur said he expects him to “just do his job” on his return to the team. He stated: “He has been really good at that and he knows what his strengths are - his carry - and the areas he is trying to improve, just some line speed in defence.
“I just need him to focus on that. He doesn’t need to do anything special, just come in and play his role, whatever game time he gets.”
Bird, an early-season signing from Wests Tigers, had a strong start to his Rhinos career, but underwent knee surgery last month and has sat out the past five games. He is now fully fit, but Harry Newman - who replaced him after having a spell on loan at Hull FC - has scored six tries in his last four appearances and will keep his spot this week.
Arthur said: “Jack will play reserve grade. Jack is fully fit in terms of his body so he needs to get some match fitness. It is a tough call for him to come over to Super League and have to play reserve grade, but no one in our club or our team is above that.
“The rules are the same for everyone. Unfortunately he is not in the team at the moment; Harry had to go through that process and was lucky enough to get some opportunities at another Super League club, but he was out of the team for a while and had to bide his time.
“When he got his opportunity he is making it very hard for somebody to take it off him. He hasn’t taken his spot for granted and he is doing a really good job. His effort areas are great and he is on top of that. Jack has just got to wait and make sure if he does get an opportunity he makes the most of it.”