Leeds Rhinos’ director of rugby Kevin Sinfield is on hunt for ‘right kind’ of forward

Rhinos are yet to announce any new faces for 2021.

One or two recruits are possible, but Sinfield believes Rhinos now have the right culture in their playing group and his priority is to ensure any newcomers fit into that, as well as adding to the team on the field.

Rhinos are looking for another forward to play in the middle of the field, following Adam Cuthbertson’s departure to York City Knights at the end of the campaign and the retirement of Dom Crosby because of injury.

Loose-forward Stevie Ward is now out of contract and has not been offered a new deal, outside-back Rhys Evans has returned to Bradford Bulls and forwards Brett Ferres and James Harrison are back at Featherstone Rovers following their spell on loan with Leeds.

The financial impact of coronavirus – and a year without matchday income – will have a bearing on who and how many players Rhinos can bring in.

The pandemic has also affected the market in Australia, with fewer NRL players willing to move to England.

“We won’t sign somebody just to fill our squad, we need to sign the right people,” Sinfield stressed.

“We are working as hard as we can to recruit the right type of Leeds people, with the right type of attributes.”

The former Rhinos and England captain admitted current circumstances are far from ideal.

He said: “It is really difficult because of Covid.

“There is so much uncertainty, in both hemispheres, due to things like wage cuts.

“We are doing everything we can, we know we need to improve and add to our squad.

“Like everyone else, there are some restraints and some things we are trying to work through and it is a real balancing act.”

Another consideration is ensuring Rhinos’ homegrown youngsters don’t find their path to the first team blocked.

“Some of our kids are the best in the country,” Sinfield stated.

“Mikolaj [Oldezki], Cam Smith, Harry Newman, Jack Walker – we have got some outstanding young players and they need to play.”

Newman was this week named Betfred Super League young player of the year, despite suffering a badly broken leg in September.

Walker missed much of the campaign with a foot injury and is due to undergo off-season surgery on both shoulders, following problems in previous years.

Other players facing operations are prop Tom Holroyd (hand), half-back Callum McLelland (ankle) and centre/second-rower Alex Sutcliffe (shoulder).

Sinfield confirmed: “There’s a number of players who need some bits tidying up.

“Hopefully all the operations are successful and we can get them in on time and back as soon as possible.”

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