Leeds Rhinos prospect Liam Tindall on verge of big Super League future

Things have happened quickly for the former East Leeds junior who, a year ago, was a sixth-form student and part-time player in Rhinos’ academy.

He began training with the senior squad last August, when Super League resumed following lockdown, and made his debut at home to Catalans Dragons the following month - three days after his 19th birthday.

Having gone close to scoring an incredible touchdown that night, he also played in Rhinos’ Super League games against Warrington Wolves and St Helens either side of the Challenge Cup final last October, registering his first senior try away to the defending and eventual champions.

Tindall felt he “did well” during his baptism of fire, but accepts - having been a full-time player for less than a year - he has a lot still to learn and is spending pre-season working on boosting his skill level.

“There was a couple of really good bits and we have highlighted the bits I need to work on,” the winger said of his first taste of senior rugby.

“This first pre-season is going to be me getting myself better on all the bits I need to work on.”

Going straight into playing against men was tough, but Tindall insisted: “I am more focusing on improving my skills, that’s the main focus for me.”

With some experienced players missing because of injury, Leeds’ youngsters have had a chance to show the coaching staff what they are capable of since pre-season began on January 5.

“I am loving it, it is going really well,” Tindall said.

“It is fortunate the situation I have been given, the opportunities I have had; I can’t be grateful enough. It has been really good and you get loads more time out on the pitch, just going over little details and working on skills that need improving.

“There’s a lot of time spent on making yourself better and it’s really helping.”

Tindall has Ash Handley - top try scorer in Super League last year - and former Lance Todd Trophy winner Tom Briscoe ahead of him in the queue for Rhinos’ wing spots, along with free-scoring Luke Briscoe who equalled a long-standing British record when he touched down in 17 successive games for Featherstone Rovers in 2018.

But he has time on his side and pledged to soak up as much knowledge as he can from his more experienced team-mates.

He said: “It is good having them because you can go to them and, if you think you’ve done something wrong, you can say ‘where do you think I need to be on that?’.

“They will tip you up and help you and you know they are giving you the right answer because they are some of the best wingers around.”

Last year’s three appearances were a bonus for a player who wasn’t in first-team contention at the start of the season, as well as a taste of what could be ahead.

With Covid still hanging over the sport, Tindall is on stand-by for more action in the new campaign, which begins next month.

He pointed out: “Obviously with the situation we are in at the minute, you have always got to be ready to be able to play.

“If a couple of people get taken out on track and trace, you are in that week. You have got to prepare every week like you are going to be playing.”

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