Pre-season training began two weeks ago, but Rhinos' World Cup contingent are not due to report back until the start of January.

That will give the full squad just a month to prepare for their engage Super League opener against Celtic Crusaders on February 6.

But coach Brian McClennan has told his players he does not want them cutting their break short.

"We just want them to stay away, just to get a break and not think about football," said the coach.

"We are not bringing them in early. They need a rest because it has been a long year."

McClennan said the players currently on leave will be keeping themselves in shape.

"They do look after themselves," he said. "They do that throughout the whole year, not just in the off-season.

"They are all very determined people, but we want them to keep away to take their mind off it.

"It was a very long year in 2008 and it is going to be a really big test next year, because we have to start getting ourselves ready for the big match against Manly in the World Club Challenge.

"It is going to be another long year. We feel we managed it pretty well last year, but we feel we can do a lot better."

Of the way training has gone so far, McClennan said: "All the players who are in are doing really well, as expected.

"We are happy. The young Academy boys are in as well, they are our future and they have got stuck in.

"The players and all the staff are doing a good job and everything's heading in the right direction."

Meanwhile, reports Down Under have linked Rhinos with Australia Test captain Darren Lockyer.

The Brisbane Broncos stand-off – who is out of contract at the end of the new season – has rejected a possible move to Hull KR in 2010, but is reportedly keen to play in Super League with Leeds and Wigan Warriors understood to be his favoured options.