Leeds Rhinos: Young gun Newman out to make a big impression against Coventry

THE YOUNGEST member of Leeds Rhinos' full-time squad has an appropriate name.
Harry Newman.Harry Newman.
Harry Newman.

Harry Newman became the first player born this century to feature in Betfred Super League when he made his debut for Rhinos at Wigan Warriors last July.

The 17-year-old also came off the bench in Leeds’ Boxing Day win at Wakefield Trinity and will be one of the starting centres when a second-string Rhinos side face Betfred League One hosts Coventry Bears at Butts Park Arena tomorrow night.

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“I am really looking forward to it,” Newman said of the game which is part of Bears’ 20th anniversary celebrations.

“I played 40 minutes against Wakey and this game gives me the chance to try and impress the coaching staff.

“It has been a tough pre-season, getting used to a full-time environment, but I am really enjoying it.

“I made my debut last year and hopefully this year, with a full pre-season under my belt, I can kick on and make a few more appearances.”

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Newman added: “We’ll be playing against men [tomorrow] which is only the third time for me and it’ll be good to get out there and see what I can do.”

Rhinos’ first-choice side are set to face Castleford Tigers on Sunday. Tomorrow’s squad includes seven full-time players with the rest coming from the academy. The team will be coached by Rob Burrow, in his debut as academy boss.

“There’s some young lads in there from the academy, I have known them for a few years now and they’ll be looking to impress,” Newman said.

“There’s some more experienced players in there as well, like Mikolaj [Oledzki] and Cam [Smith], so it’ll be good.

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“I’ve had a couple of training sessions with the academy and Rob seems to be doing well, bringing his experience down and helping the young players develop.”

Coventry finished 14th in League One last year. Tomorrow will be the first meeting between the sides since April 12, 1913, when Leeds recorded a record 102-0 victory at Headingley.

Leeds Rhinos (at Coventry): Whitton, Whyllie, Newman, Broadbent, Handley, Spence, Lilley, Oledzki, Whiteley, Trout, Walters, Smith, Jordan-Roberts. Subs Johnson, Barraclough, Darley, Holroyd, Dupree, Markland.

Referee: N Bennett.

Kick-off: Tomorrow: 7.45pm.