Leeds Rhinos react to sickness bug by re-signing former academy hooker Harvey Whiteley

LEEDS RHINOS have re-signed their former player Harvey Whiteley and he is set to figure in Friday’s pre-season game at Featherstone Rovers.
Hooker, Harvey Whiteley.
 PIC: Bruce Rollinson/JPIMediaHooker, Harvey Whiteley.
 PIC: Bruce Rollinson/JPIMedia
Hooker, Harvey Whiteley. PIC: Bruce Rollinson/JPIMedia

Whiteley, a hooker, works for Rhinos’ foundation and has returned to Leeds as a reserve-team player. The 21-year-old came through Rhinos’ academy and made one Super League appearance in a defeat at Wigan Warriors three years ago.

Whiteley left Rhinos at the end of 2018 to join Betfred Championship side Dewsbury Rams on a one-year deal. He made three appearances last season, as well as playing six times for League One outfit Coventry.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He is in line to start for Rhinos at Featherstone in place of Corey Johnson who is suffering from a sickness bug which has swept through the Rhinos camp.

Hooker, Corey Johnson. PIC: Jonathan Gawthorpe/JPIMediaHooker, Corey Johnson. PIC: Jonathan Gawthorpe/JPIMedia
Hooker, Corey Johnson. PIC: Jonathan Gawthorpe/JPIMedia

Rhinos’ three other part-time reserve-grade players, full-back Liam Whitton, stand-off Harvey Spence and loose-forward Loui McConnell, will also feature in Friday’s side which will be largely made up of young first-team squad members, plus some academy players.

Forwards Tyler Dupree, Jarrod O’Connor and Sam Walters are set to play against Rovers after featuring for them on dual-registration in last Sunday’s narrow defeat at Hull KR.

Rhinos have two games this weekend with an academy side visiting League One promotion hopefuls Newcastle on Sunday.