Konrad Hurrell predicts a big year for Leeds Rhinos

Hurrell was a big-money recruit a year ago, brought in to revive Rhinos’ ailing fortunes after a relegation battle the previous season.

He touched down 14 times and was Leeds’ second-highest try scorer behind his winger Ash Handley, with 22, but it was another poor campaign for the club.

Rhinos were in Betfred Super League’s bottom-four for most of the year and had a change of coach midway through before finally finding some form and climbing to eighth spot.

Much has changed over the past 12 months, on and off the field, and Hurrell reckons Rhinos are now in a much better state than they were ahead of the 2019 season.

“It has been a great pre-season,” Hurrell said.

“It looks like we are on this year.

“It’s good to see the difference compared to last year in where we started, where our head is and how close we are to each other.

“Last year, it wasn’t an excuse, but everything was kind of new.

“This year we’ve still got a few new players, but everyone knows where we are and where we need to be.”

He added: “It is a lot better this year, everyone’s just focused on training, focused on winning.

“We are all focused on getting to know each other and I reckon that’s the major thing we needed, just to get a bit closer and tighter.

“It shows on the field. Our defence has been good and we all know I have got my mate’s back and they have got mine.”

Boss Richard Agar has put a big emphasis on team spirit and togetherness and Hurrell confirmed: “It is something we’ve talked about in camp.”

He stressed: “We need to celebrate the little things, like the big tackles.

“Sometimes outsiders don’t know how hard a bloke works, but we know it and we need to celebrate that and if something goes wrong we need to come together to help the team out.

“That’s something we’ve been working on, no one’s going in little groups, everyone goes as a team. That shows on the field, if someone scores a try everyone goes in and it feels good to be like that.”