Liam Tindall says Leeds Rhinos debut v Catalans Dragons was 'dream come true'

Tindall signed a three-year full-time contract in August and made his first senior appearance in Wednesday’s 34-6 defeat by Catalans Dragons at Emerald Headingley.

In an impressive all-round effort by an inexperienced team, he was one of the players who made the biggest impression, particularly with a sensational second half run which almost produced a debut try.

The 34-6 scoreline flattered Catalans, who fielded a near full-strength side and Tindall - who turned 19 three days before the game - felt his first senior appearance “went really well”.

He said: “I tried to get as many involvements as I could and I tried helping all our forwards.

“They were ramping up, tackling all the big lads - they were putting a shift in so I tried to put a shift in, getting us our yardage and trying to get us on the front foot.”

Tindall produced the game’s most exciting moment when he ran across the field near half-way, broke into space and beat seven defenders before being pulled down a metre short of the line.

“I was disappointed I didn’t get the try,” Tindall admitted.

“I am proud of myself for backing myself, beating defenders and just going for it.”

An England academy international, Tindall has been training with Rhinos’ first team squad since the coronavirus lockdown ended in July.

He reflected: “I haven’t been in there long, I got a call off [head of youth] Simon Bell a few months ago saying they wanted to get me in.

“To play in Super League is a dream come true really.

“It is a bit of a cliche, but it is. I have grown up playing rugby for East Leeds and that is always the end goal, to get to Super League.

“To make my debut, it’s unbelievable.”

To add extra spice, Tindall is a Rhinos fan.

“I was a season ticket holder, going to games on the number 56 bus,” he recalled.

Other than the result, the only disappointment surrounding Tindall’s debut was the fact it was played behind closed doors, which meant his family were unable to be there.

“Not having your family there, it’s not the same,” he said.

“I’d have loved my friends and family to be there, but it’s just the situation we are in.”

Tindall’s aim now is to get more appearances this season.

He said: “I’d love to get another run out to show what I am capable of and just keep going at it.”

Coach Richard Agar and captain Luke Gale have both spoken highly of Tindall and his potential and he added: “It is nice getting recognition, it shows what you are doing, you are doing well.

“Especially from the likes of Luke Gale, it is a big confidence boost as well.”

Tindall was one of seven Rhinos debutants, five of them in the starting lineup and feels they can all be proud of their effort.

He said: “We all went out there with the mindset we had nothing to lose and to put everything into every run, every tackle.

“We didn’t want to leave anything on the pitch and I think we did that. I don’t think the scoreline reflected the game at all, both sides dug in and it was a bit of a dogfight in bits of it, really scrappy, but I don’t think we deserved to lose by that many points.

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Laura Collins