Fit-again Leeds Rhinos young gun Tom Holroyd spurred on by Wembley disappointment

Rising star Tom Holroyd is fully fit following off-season surgery and has his sights set on silverware with Leeds Rhinos after the disappointment of being a Wembley spectator last year.
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The prop played nine times for Rhinos in 2020, but a wrist injury wrecked his hopes of featuring in the Challenge Cup final win over Salford Red Devils.

He was named in Rhinos’ initial 21-man squad, after featuring in the semi-final win over Wigan Warriors two weeks earlier, but did not make the team for the final and insisted: “I will make sure I won’t miss out on an opportunity like that again.”

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Holroyd, who turned 20 this week, confirmed his hand is “spot on” after the pre-Christmas operation.

Tom Holroyd, left, at training this week, with teammate Cameron Smith. Picture by Phil Daly/Leeds Rhinos.Tom Holroyd, left, at training this week, with teammate Cameron Smith. Picture by Phil Daly/Leeds Rhinos.
Tom Holroyd, left, at training this week, with teammate Cameron Smith. Picture by Phil Daly/Leeds Rhinos.

“It’s the best it has been in a long time,” he said. “I am glad I went through with the operation, it has all come out well.”

Holroyd admitted the injury was “always in the back of my mind” last year, but is now aiming to push for a regular place in Rhinos’ matchday 17.

“It was one of those things you could play on with, but it hindered my game quite a bit,” he recalled. “It eggs you on a bit more knowing you are fully fit and ready to go.”

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Boss Richard Agar has stressed he will give the former England academy prop a chance to establish himself this season, which is his fourth in the first team squad.

Tom Holroyd takes a carry for Leeds against St Helens last season. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.Tom Holroyd takes a carry for Leeds against St Helens last season. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.
Tom Holroyd takes a carry for Leeds against St Helens last season. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.

The player added: “It should be good, I just hope I can make use of that opportunity.

“Playing last year’s done quite a lot for my confidence, but I have still got to work hard if I want to push on.

“I am still in the same mindset as if I hadn’t played any games.

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“I am just going to play my best rugby and just focus on me and getting the best out of me.”

Front-row recruit King Vuniyayawa is now quarantining after arriving in Leeds on Wednesday and Kiwi Test prop Zane Tetevano is due to arrive later this month.

Tetevano has played in two of the last three NRL Grand Finals and Holroyd is keen to feed off his experience.

He said: “It will be good to get him over and learn off him a bit and just pick his brains about the position and what he has done.”

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Rhinos finished fifth in Betfred Super League last year and Holroyd reckons they can improve on that.

“Pre-season has been good, it has been a bit stop-start with Covid, but we’ve been working hard in the gym and everyone’s stronger and fitter than I have seen us,” he said.

“We are in a really good place now.

“Hopefully we can build on last year, we are aiming to be at the top again and hopefully we’ll be contending for some big Cups.

“We want it all, really.”

The weather has made things difficult, particularly for Holroyd who lives on a farm near Halifax and has found himself snowed in at times.

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He reflected: “It is a bit of a handful, dealing with that and training at home on the odd day when I can’t get in, but it’s part of it when you live in England!”

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