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Leeds Rhinos: Ben will fight to keep place
Shooting Star Ben Jones-Bishop is hoping he has done enough to prove he is worth keeping in Leeds Rhinos’ team.
Jones-Bishop scored the game-breaking try in last weekend’s World Club Challenge win over Manly Sea Eagles, after being called up to replace rib injury victim Lee Smith for his first appearance of the year.
The England squad man played in Rhinos under-20s’ pre-season trials and wasn’t selected for the opening two Stobart Super League games.
He admitted that was a “frustrating” experience after his breakthrough campaign in 2011.
But he said he accepts everyone in the squad has to fight for his place and now intends to “make it hard” for anyone else to step in.
Rhinos’ initial squad for Sunday’s trip to Widnes Vikings will be announced tomorrow and Jones-Bishop said: “It was good to be involved last week.
“I wanted to be involved from the start of the season, but we’ve got a big squad and a lot of good players.
“You’ve just got to work hard and when you get your chance you have to try to take it and remain in the side.
“You want to be playing and after how we finished last year – and playing week in and week out – it was frustrating not to be part of it.
“But you have to keep your head high and keep working hard with the team. It is a squad game these days, so it is going to happen.
“Everyone in the squad is competing for places and you try and make it hard for the coach to not put you in the side.”
Jones-Bishop was thrown in at the deep end against Manly, but predicted that he will be better for the hit-out.
“It was tough, especially the first 20 minutes, getting used to the speed of the game,” he reported.
“But after that I thought I went okay. There’s things to build on and obviously the more you play the more fitness you get and you get used to the speed of things.
“It was a good start, but I am hoping to improve on that and try and keep my spot.”
It was the first time Jones-Bishop had played against NRL opposition and he said: “I’ll definitely be better from that.
“They are the Australian champions and a great side, with a lot of international players.
“Playing in those games – Grand Finals and World Club Challenges – can only benefit your game.”
Jones-Bishop is confident that there won’t be a hangover from last Friday’s famous victory when they return to league action in three days’ time.
“We enjoyed it over the weekend, but we started again on Monday,” he said.
“It’s a long week – Friday to Sunday – and we’ve had a lot of time to prepare for Widnes, so it’s straight back into it.”
● St Helens’ Australian back-row forward Chris Flannery is set to hang up his boots at the end of the season.
The former Queensland Origin player, who turns 32 in June, is out of contract at the end of the year and will not seek an extension.
“I think this will be my last year,” he said. “Hopefully, I’ll have a big year this year and finish it off in the right fashion.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Comments
There are 5 comments to this article
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adlufc1141
Friday, February 24, 2012 at 07:31 AM@ GAZZAW I think BJB is 13.3 stone and 6ft 2 (taken from Wikipedia) so he is roughly the same weight as Webb but much taller. does a frame like that suit FB or the wing? its a tough one actually cos who are we to know till it happens. Id say that its more suited on the wing but I still think at 6ft 2 he needs to be a bit heavier, maybe a stone or so, Hall is 6ft 1 and 15 stone 2. i guess we will see in the next couple of years what BMAC wants for him and what size will suit best. PEACE!
GazzaW
Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 01:03 PMEh! Have I logged on to a Rugby Union Forum? BJB doesn't need to bulk up, he must be 6' 2'' and 15 stone! He certainly doesn't need to get any bigger to be full back either; if anything he needs to be smaller in mass. I have watched him in all the U20s games this year including the trip to Whitehaven and because of his mass he has been much slower than you would expect. He was venerable on the wing at Hunslet and Nathaniel for Hunslet put two easy tries past him at U20 level. Webb is only 5' 8'' and 13 stone wet through so you don't need a big player at full back - look at Brett Hodgson!. When Webb goes it wouldn't surprise me to see Jimmy Watson pushing for that place, it may not be permanent next year but he might get the nod ahead of BJB long term and he is only 5' 8'' wet through too. If this is not the case then why does BJB play on the wing at U20 level and not full back? Anyway there is enough talent in the U20s to replace the oldies, even on the wings. I'm sure anyone playing along side burrow will get plenty of scoring opportunities. Just my opinion of course.
d4mo78
Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 12:26 PMHall doesn't have the hands to play centre and give Hardaker time and he'll be the next Keef. As for BJB I think he can go on to be a top class fb, which is his natural position. He's only had 2 seasons in SL so needs time to bulk up. Not many people reach their full potential by the second season. Good to see so much competition for places in the squad
I am Amdrewsy
Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 12:18 PMIMO Hall should be a centre and Zak on the wing. BJB does need to muscle up for his switch to FB for next year. I think Webb will leave this year as he's out of contract. As for the money from those players leaveing (Bedsy,Senior and Ali) Most their salary went on Hall...think about it for a second. We'll be fine I think but the reay tst is when JP leaves and Amor(?) or Singleton replaces him.
adlufc1141
Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 08:50 AMBJB is an ok player but IMO just too small for today's game. We need a player with the stature of Ryan Hall for our other winger. Sure the long tern plan for BJB is to replace Webb but that maybe in 2 years time and still be will need to beef up a bit IMO, defense is a major part of the game today and being slight is an advantage going forward but not in defense. Tompkins is great going forward but terrible in defense and BJB doesnt have the attacking skill Tompkins has. I say that he put on some beef and concentrates on replacing Webb in the long term and personally I'd look at bringing in another winger as I dont think Smith is good enough either. We must be able to afford it after Bedsey, Senior and Ali left.
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