Recruit Paul Momirovski met his new teammates less than 24 hours after arriving from Australia. It was also Rhyse Martin’s first day of pre-season, following a spell of leave after international duty with Papua New Guinea last autumn.
Brodie Croft, Rhinos’ high-profile signing from Salford Red Devils, was on a pre-arranged break in Australia over Christmas and missed the Boxing Day defeat of Wakefield Trinity, but is now back at work and several others are in training after recovering from injury.
Yorkshire Evening Post photographer Simon Hulme was invited to Rhinos’ Kirkstall base on Thursday. Here’s 19 pictures of Rhinos’ first training session of 2024.
1. Rhyse Martin
The Papua New Guinea skipper returned to training on Thursday after a spell on leave following international duty last autumn. Photo: Simon Hulme
2. Paul Momirovski
The Australian centre arrived in England on Wednesday and trained with Rhinos for the first time the following morning. Photo: Simon Hulme
3. James Donaldson
The forward, who will have a testimonial game against Hull KR at AMT Headingley on February 4, is back in training after minor knee surgery. Photo: Simon Hulme
4. Cameron Smith
Rhinos' new captain on the ball at their first post-Christmas training session. Photo: Simon Hulme
5. Sir Kev
Former Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield, now part of the England rugby union coaching staff, watched Rhinos train, alongside club commercial director Rob Oates, middle and coach Rohan Smith, right. Photo: Simon Hulme
6. David Fusitu'a
The former New Zealand and Tonga Test winger missed the Boxing Day game because of a family bereavement, but was in training on Thursday. Photo: Simon Hulme