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Leeds Rhinos: Moore vows to make up for lost time
Richard Moore in match action against Wakefield Wildcats.
Big prop Richard Moore is ready to make his Leeds Rhinos debut in 2012 – after a wait of more than a decade.
The Keighley-born front-rower had a spell in Rhinos’ academy as a teenager at the turn of the century, playing alongside the likes of Rob Burrow, Danny McGuire and Ryan Bailey.
He failed to break into the first team, but four clubs later is back at Headingley Carnegie on a three-year deal and ready to show Rhinos what they have been missing.
“I was here when I was 17 and I never got a chance,” Moore, 30, said. “Hopefully if I put in the hard work this time I’ll get an opportunity and I’ll take it with both hands. At the moment I am just taking it as it comes. I am not looking too far ahead and hopefully I’ll get that chance this time.
“It is a big move, but without being big-headed, I wasn’t surprised when Leeds came in for me. I think if I put my mind to stuff I usually stand up.
“I think I played quite well on Boxing Day, but at the minute I look and see six players in front of me.
“It is up to me to train hard and every time I get a run-out to prove I am good enough to play in this team.”
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Moore made a big impact off the substitutes’ bench in Rhinos’ Christmas win over Wakefield Trinity Wildcats – and he admitted that he was “quite pleased” with his opening run.
Now he is hoping he can do enough over the final month of pre-season to convince boss Brian McDermott that he is worth a place in the 17 to face Hull KR when Leeds begin their title defence on February 3.
“I blew a few cobwebs off and I really enjoyed it,” Moore said of the Christmas fixture. “It was nice to have my first hit-out after seven weeks of hard training.
“I’m looking forward to the next friendlies now and hopefully I’ll get a shot for the start of the season.”
Moore joined Bradford Bulls from Leeds in 2002, making 26 appearances for the Odsal side.
He left Bulls in 2005 for two seasons at Leigh and then moved to Wakefield Trinity Wildcats in 2007.
He played 115 times for Wakefield before joining Crusaders at the start of last season, making 21 appearances for the Welsh outfit.
Moore’s best form came during his time at Wakefield, when coach John Kear pushed for him to be called into the national squad, but he suffered a major setback after being diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease.
The illness caused him to lose weight and he missed part of the 2009 campaign. Moore admitted that it took time to regain his form, but he insisted: “I have put my weight back on and hopefully I can get back to my best.
“I am not looking too far ahead, my main concern is being the best I can be on the field when I get an opportunity.
“I will just keep my head down and keep working hard.”
Rhinos’ senior players are currently in Cyprus on a week-long warm-weather camp after the club’s England contingent reported in to begin pre-season training.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Comments
There are 3 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
d4mo78
Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 01:34 PMI was surprised when we signed him, especially considering the props we had who weren't playing at that time (Amor, Singleton and Ambler). But I think he'll be a good signing. Over the years he's shown that on his day he's destructive with ball in hand, and has a good offload game. Give him a chance smithstv. After last year and the stick McDermott got, haven't you learnt anything about holding your opinions until the big boned lady has sung? It's mad to think the competition we have for places this year. The youngsters are a bit more experienced and every position has cover. Bring on the Robins.
SupaKev
Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 10:57 AMGive the lad a chance! I too have reservations about the wisdom of the acquisition but he was fantastic on Boxing Day, all be it in a friendly. He has said he was not surprised that Leeds came in for him. Letting Burgess and Cross go and the size of Leeds pack in 2011he is absolutely right. I was crying out last season for us to get 2 no nonsense props and to be fair to McD and Gary they have got the players that fit the bill. He is being respectful in that he believes six players are ahead of him. I would suggest that if he performs consistently to the standard he showed on Boxing Day he will fast get himself into the 17. Kylie, Griffin, Kirke and Bailey will have to be on their game week in week out or they know that they will be dropped. We also have strength in depth as opposed to last year where JJB had to make some heroic displays as a makeshift prop. I wish Richard, and all the club, all the best for 2012.
smithstv
Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 08:50 AMa tad arrogant to say that he wasn't surprised when Leeds signed him don't you think being only a mediocre player? Also Leeds signed him when they weren't aware that the interchanges were moving from 12 to 10 this will have a big impact on Moore as he's never been one to stay on the field for that long so it will be a gamble - he will need to be super fit to get some game time as the other players will have to carry him. Saw him on Boxing Day and he did ok. He's lost some weight but maybe that will help his fitness but I did like to see him doing a proper forwards job and go forward with some good offloads also. If he can sort out his penalty count and some of the dafter offloads he used to try at wakey then he should be ok.
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