1st interview: Leeds Rhinos signing Jake Connor talks trophy hopes, new role & winning over the fans
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Connor was confirmed earlier this week as Rhinos’ fourth signing for 2025 after being released from the final season of his Huddersfield Giants contract. With experience at full-back, centre and in the halves, coach Brad Arthur has predicted the Halifax-born play-maker “will be a key addition to our squad because of his versatility”.
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Hide AdOne option could be the three-quarters, if this year’s number four Paul Momirovski returns to Australia midway through his two-year contract, but Connor, who has signed a two-year deal, insisted he doesn’t have a preference and winning rugby matches is all that counts.
“In the early days of my career I was that versatile player and then I wanted to nail down one position,” he stated in his first interview since joining Leeds. “Now I am at that point where I am not really bothered, I just want to win.
“Time’s not running out yet, but I’ve only won one Challenge Cup in my career and I want to experience what it’s like to win something again. It’s whatever’s best for the team; we haven’t really spoken about it, but I can play a number of positions so hopefully I will fit in somewhere.”
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Hide AdConnor, who will turn 30 next week, began his professional career with Huddersfield in 2013. He had spells on loan at Batley Bulldogs and Oldham before a move to Hull FC in 2017. A Challenge Cup winner in his first season with the black and whites, he returned to Giants ahead of the 2023 campaign and reckons the latest move is “the biggest of my career”.
Explaining how it came about, he said: “It all happened really quickly. I nearly joined Leeds on loan mid-season, but it fell through at the last minute. The opportunity came around again and I jumped at it.
“I am happy to be here, this has been a big club ever since I’ve known about rugby. It’s one of the biggest clubs there is and probably the biggest club I’ll ever play for. I am the first to say the last couple of years didn’t work out the way I wanted them to and hopefully a change will do me good.
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Hide Ad“I want to get back to my best and be competing for silverware. I feel like this place can definitely help me get back to my best and hopefully I can improve the team as well.”
The former England and Great Britain star clearly has a point to prove after the past two seasons. He reflected: “I had a big knee operation and the style didn’t suit me at Huddersfield. I am looking forward to getting back to my best this year. That’s what I want and what makes me happy, when I am playing my best rugby.”
Winger Ryan Hall and forwards Keenan Palasini and Cooper Jenkins are Rhinos’ other newcomers and at least one more signing is in the pipeline. “It’s looking good,” Connor said of Leeds’ lineup for next term. “They are putting quite a good squad together and I am keen to get started, start fresh and see what happens in pre-season.”
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Hide AdOf working with Arthur, who spent 10 years in charge at NRL outfit Parramatta Eels before joining Leeds in July, Connor confirmed: “I met him before I signed. Leaving that meeting, I didn’t have any doubts about coming here. He made me welcome straight away and told me what he wants from me and what I need to work on. I am ready to go.”
Connor admitted, like any player, his first task is to prove himself to his new coaching staff and teammates. “You have got to earn that respect from the players and get along with them,” he stated. “That’s what I want to do; I am sure they will make me feel very welcome and I will be ready to go on day one of pre-season and rip in.”
He is also keen to win over Leeds’ fans, after having a frosty relationship with AMT Headingley’s South Stand during his time as a visiting player. “It has been one of those things over the years,” he recalled.
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Hide Ad“They have always got on to me and I’ve given a bit back. Now things have changed so hopefully they are on my side. I am definitely looking forward to it, they fill Headingley every week and even when you play away games here it’s always exciting because of the atmosphere and how big the club is.
“It will be nice to be on the other side and playing well helps that, so hopefully I’ll have a big pre-season, get myself cemented in the team and look to put some good performances in.”
As well as his ability to play anywhere in the backs, Connor is an established goal kicker, something Rhinos lack following Rhyse Martin’s departure to Hull KR. He confirmed: “We’ve had that conversation.
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Hide Ad“I don’t know who else goal-kicks, but I’ve always done it; since my younger days I’ve always been a bit of a backup and last year I was probably the main kicker. If it’s a job that needs doing, I am happy to do it.”
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