Leeds Rhinos' Tom Holroyd outlines England World Cup ambition, insists league leaders' shield push still on
Impact prop Tom Holroyd has laid out his England World Cup ambition and revealed what’s behind his consistently strong form this season.
Rhinos coach Brad Arthur last week backed Holroyd for a place in the national team at this autumn’s southern hemisphere tournament and the front-rower insisted “I want to be in it, definitely.”
Holroyd made his 100th appearance for Rhinos as a substitute in last Thursday’s 20-16 home defeat by Leigh Leopards. His debut came eight years ago against Catalans Dragons, when Rhinos were coached by current England boss Brian McDermott.
Holroyd stressed: “Who doesn’t want to represent their country? I’ve just got to keep performing for Leeds and hopefully catch the eye of the right people.”
Injuries meant it took longer than expected for Holroyd to achieve his century, but he has been an integral part of the team this season, primarily off the bench. Asked how many more games he could reach for Leeds, he insisted: “As many as I can - I love this club.”
He said: “I had a bit of a challenging start to my career, but I’m ticking the games off quite nicely now. We are building some consistent seasons and I think that’s probably why you’re seeing the consistency in my game now.
“I am only 25 so I’ve got plenty still in me, but I’ve been around Leeds a long time now and I know what the club’s all about and the ethos of the club and how we are meant to play. This is how it should be, we should be top of the league, we are Leeds Rhinos.”
Rhinos face a fight to stay in pole position over the final four rounds of the regular Betfred Super League season. Only points difference separates them from Wigan Warriors in second place and reflecting on the loss to Leigh, Holroyd admitted: “We were just on the wrong side of the result.
“Leigh had good scramble and they fought hard. It was a game of inches in the end, [Innes] Senior went in the corner for them and Ryan Hall in the same corner - they got the try and we didn’t. That decided the result.”
Holroyd wouldn’t use the short turnaround from the previous Friday’s last-gasp win at Wakefield Trinity as an excuse for Leeds’ below-par performance. “I think we dominated possession,” he added. “I think we have got a pretty decent idea of where we need to fix up and go again. Knowing our team and where we are at, we will do that - we will get the corrections and we’ll put it right.”
Leeds play Wigan at AMT Headingley in the penultimate round of the regular season, but face trips to York Knights and St Helens before that and Holroyd insisted: “Every game coming up is a big game. We have got four left and everyone’s fighting for a win. It is an exciting time for us and I think we are ready to take that challenge and move forward.”
Sunday’s visit to York is one Rhinos will be expected to win, but the hosts have claimed some notable scalps this year, including Hull KR and St Helens on their home turf. Holroyd reckons a 10-day build up will be good for Leeds. He said “It’s a chance to have a rest, look at last week’s game and put the corrections right, go to York and put in a good performance.”