Leeds Rhinos: Coach Morley keen to see new Rhinos boys in action
LEEDS RHINOS academy coach Adrian Morley is hoping for big things from new signings Dan Waite-Pullan and Ellis Nuttall.
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Hide AdThe 18-year-olds, signed this week from Bradford Bulls and Halifax Elite Rugby Academy respectively, will feature in tomorrow’s final pre-season match at Doncaster and Morley said: “I’ve been impressed with them.
“They are big boys and hopefully they can show what they’ve been doing in training in the game.”
Doncaster, coached by ex-Batley Bulldogs boss Gary Thornton, beat Championship team Sheffield Eagles last week.
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Hide AdTheir squad includes former Rhinos forward Jamie Thackeray and ex-Wigan and Hull prop Iafeta Paleaaesina alongside Jamaican international Aaron Jones-Bishop, a product of Leeds amateur club Milford Marlins.
Rhinos’ youngsters beat Doncaster’s Kingstone Press League One rivals Hunslet 21-14 two weeks ago and Morley, a former Leeds player is expecting another “good test”.
He said: “I thought the boys gave a great account of themselves against Hunslet, particularly the under-19s and I’m looking forward to them showing me more of what they can do.
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Hide Ad“There’s a few senior players in our squad, but it’s basically a team made up of under-19s.
“In the corresponding fixture last year they went with only two or three senior guys and ended up with a narrow victory, so hopefully we can replicate that.”
Morley has a 100 per cent winning record as a coach following Leeds’ success in the Harry Jepson OBE Memorial Cup tie.
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Hide AdHe said: “I didn’t think I would dislike it by any means, but I am loving it more than I thought I would.
“I’ve got the bug, it’s great being back at Leeds and I am learning more and more every day off the senior coaches and I can’t wait for the season to start.
“Training has been great, but when you’ve got a goal to aim towards that makes it a lot more enjoyable.”
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Hide AdLeeds Rhinos (at Doncaster): from Baldwinson, Barraclough, Brady, Chapman-Smith, Darley, Hallas, Hartley, Jordan-Roberts, Lilley, McConnell, Mustapha, Newman, Nuttall, Oledzki, Schofield, A Sutcliffe, Trout, Waite-Pullen, Walker, Walters, Whiteley.
Referee: Tom Grant (Leeds).
Kick-off: Tomorrow, 3pm.