Leeds Rhinos star Kruise Leeming eyes long-awaited debut - against his old club Huddersfield Giants

Key signing Kruise Leeming hopes to finally make his Leeds Rhinos debut when Betfred Super League resumes after coronavirus - against his previous club Huddersfield Giants.
Kruise Leeming on the charge for Giants against Wakefield Trinity. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.Kruise Leeming on the charge for Giants against Wakefield Trinity. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.
Kruise Leeming on the charge for Giants against Wakefield Trinity. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.

Rhinos paid a fee for Leeming, 25, last autumn, but an injury suffered two days before Christmas means he has yet to pull on a blue and amber jersey in anger.

Leeds will play Huddersfield on Sunday, August 2 and Leeming is hopeful of being in contention.

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“The knee’s pretty good now,” he confirmed. “I’m doing everything required for me to get back as soon as I can.

“I feel good and feel I’m nearly there, but I’m not putting too much pressure on myself as yet.

“I just want to get myself right, but if I could get back for that game it would be great.

“It being Huddersfield it makes it even better. You couldn’t write it really, making my debut like that.”

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Leeming will have to displace Brad Dwyer who was in outstanding form as Rhinos’ starting acting-half before the Covid-19 shutdown.

Brad Dwyer. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.Brad Dwyer. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.
Brad Dwyer. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.

“I’m really looking forward to it and hopefully I can be in that game or pushing for the 17-man squad,” he said of the comeback match.

“But with the hookers that were playing before, it’s not a given that I’d get back in that squad, so I’m going to have to work hard,

“Hopefully I’ll get a couple of weeks of full training, rather than being in rehab with the injured group and I can show my worth to get in that 17-man squad. Both teams will be looking to get back on track with a win and it’ll be a tough game, especially with some people having points to prove.”

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Leeming underwent surgery and was set to sit out half the season, but has missed only five games.

Giants' off-season signing Ashton Golding could also make his debut against his former club. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.Giants' off-season signing Ashton Golding could also make his debut against his former club. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.
Giants' off-season signing Ashton Golding could also make his debut against his former club. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.

“I felt really good before I got injured,” the England Knights player said “But if you look at the silver lining, with all this that’s gone on since, I’ve had chance to get myself right, follow a proper programme and not have to rush back.

“If I could choose a way to be injured and be out for 12 weeks it’d be this - without any games being played, without missing out on any Super League and a chance to get myself back right.”

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