Why Leeds Rhinos' Jake Connor has sights set on Challenge Cup glory with 2 different clubs
Man of Steel Jake Connor is due to set foot on the road to Wembley this weekend, four weeks before his Leeds Rhinos teammates.
Rhinos’ reigning player of the year is coach of National Conference community club Siddal who play host to Waterhead in the Betfred Challenge Cup first round on Sunday, weather permitting. The tie has been chosen for live coverage on The Sportsman’s YouTube channel.
The draw for the first and second rounds were made in November and victory this weekend would secure a home tie against Championship side Rochdale Hornets in two weeks’ time. Super League clubs, including Rhinos, enter the competition at the third round stage, on the weekend of February 7-8.
Saturday will be Connor’s debut as Siddal head-coach after several seasons in the assistant’s role. The scrum-half, who was a Wembley winner with Hull FC in 2017, told the RFL website: “Coaching Siddal is something I get a lot of satisfaction from away from training and playing the game.
“We have had a good couple of seasons and being part of the Challenge Cup each year is important for us as a club. The chance to be part of a historic competition like the Challenge Cup is very special.
“We have all grown up watching Wembley finals and dreaming of lifting that famous trophy. I have been fortunate to have lived out that dream - and hopefully will again - but the chance to be part of that journey is also massive for players in the community game.”
Connor, who signed a new contract with Leeds a month ago, made his debut for Rhinos in a 92-0 win against London-based amateurs Wests Warriors last February, when he scored a try and 14 goals. He added: “I remember last year when the Wests Warriors lads came into our dressing room at AMT Headingley after the game. Seeing how special it was for them to play against a Super League team and how that is on offer for teams in the early stages of the competition was - and is - great.”