Leeds Rhinos' Prior notices room for improvement

The Australian is ever-present in Rhinos’ starting lineup this year, his last two appearances coming at loose-forward after he began the campaign in the front-row.

The 32-year-old played 253 times in the NRL for St George-Illawarra Dragons and Cronulla Sharks, winning a Grand Final with each and made his State of Origin debut for New South Wales last year.

He was brought in to strengthen Rhinos’ middle, adding go-forward and defensive toughness and in the games so far that role has fitted him like a glove.

“At the moment I am happy, but I’ve still got some room for improvement,” was Prior’s assessment of the start of his Rhinos career.

“I am working hard on my game to get better and hopefully play some better football as the year goes on.”

Prior has been playing big minutes and is averaging more than 33 tackles per game.

“I have always been more of a defensive player than an offensive player,” he said.

“I have been getting a lot of time on the field, which has been good and I am really enjoying it at the moment.

“I am enjoying my footy and enjoying being with the boys and it has been a good year so far.”

Rugby league is now on lockdown, until at least Friday, April 3, because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The unexpected break has interrupted Rhinos’ impressive four-match winning run, which came after they were beaten by Hull in Betfred Super League round one.

Prior observed: “We have been going pretty good ever since then.

“We had a bit of a hic-up and it wasn’t a great start to the year, but nobody panicked.

“I think we all knew it was probably just an off day and Hull were too good for us on the day.

“We’ve worked hard to get back on track and everything’s sailing pretty good at the moment.”

Rhinos thrashed Toronto Wolfpack 66-12 in their last game before the sport was suspended. That took Leeds’ points tally during their hot streak to 176, with just 30 conceded.

Only Hull have scored more than two tries against Rhinos this year and Prior noted: “I think it’s all coming off our defence.

“Our defence has been outstanding and off the back of that we are scoring some good tries and getting ourselves into some good positions to be able to attack and score some points.”

Though the sport could resume in two weeks’ time, realistically it seems more likely the lay-off will be extended.

Training this week has been cancelled and Prior admitted the unique situation is “a bit difficult”.

He said: “There’s not much we can really do.

“It’s outside of our control, but hopefully we get on top of it, the coronavirus isn’t around for too much longer and we can get back to normal.”

Prior added: “We have been playing pretty well and to have a bit of disruption to our season is probably not the best thing, but everyone else is in the same boat.

“It is what it is and hopefully it’ll be over in a few weeks and we’ll be back on track again.”

Rhinos’ players have been given a fortnight’s break, but the gym at Kirkstall will be open next week for players to use on a voluntary basis.

“If we have to train by ourselves I am sure we can still manage to keep fit for a couple of weeks and keep our fitness levels and our strength levels up,” Prior pledged.

“Whatever happens I think it’s going to be okay and hopefully the rest of the season rolls on and we don’t miss too many games.”

This season is Prior’s first in England and, though he has family around him, he is a long way from home in worrying times.

But he insisted: “We are handling it pretty well, I think.

“We aren’t stressing or panicking too much.

“No one in my family has the virus or anything like that. We don’t know too much about it, just what we hear in the news, but we are doing pretty good.”